20FEB03 UA826 747-400 NRT 1930 / HNL 0655

Flight started out normally. Was in 39D, with both middle seats empty. Channel nine on. Took off about 8:00pm. About 30 minutes after takeoff we saw a flash outside the left side of the plane, and a heard a thud. No one seemed concerned, pilot continued on making routine position estimates for the Pacific crossing.

About five minutes later, a larger flash and thud from the same area got everyone's attention. Those on the left side started looking out the window. Heard the start of an ATC call "Ground, United 82…" before Ch. 9 was shut off. FA's were summoned to the intercom, followed by an announcement from the cockpit that they were having problems with a compressor stall on #2 and were returning to Narita. Landed about 30 minutes later, we had been cautioned that the emergency equipment would be meeting the flight on the runway as a precaution. Normal taxi to the gate. Seat belt sign turned off, purser asked us to stay on the plane until customer service arrived with an update.

One CS agent arrived about 20 minutes later, advised that mechanics were looking at the problem and that they were in contact with operations regarding the continuation of the flight. FA's went in to "plane delayed on ground" mode, first with water and OJ, then more drinks and snack mix. As we had nothing better to do, dinner was served on the ground, although that may have been to give ground staff more time to set up hotels and busses.

Flight was annulled at about 10:30pm. Announcement that protection would be on one of several JAL flights the next evening, and that flight details would be provided at the hotel in the morning. About three CS agents met us at the transfer counter with hotel vouchers. As I was making a seven hour "non-stopover stopover" in HNL on the way to SFO, I waited until everyone had been taken care of and then had them rebook me on the same UA flights the next day, assuming that they would try to automatically put me on an SFO flight. Checked baggage was unloaded and available. Customs was no problem, had to do arrival cards and turn in any duty free purchased in NRT.

Bussed to the Narita Excel. Nice enough place, they did a good job of taking care of 200 unexpected guests. It appears that they may have had some practice in this area. Asked at check in about a phone call, told that the first three minutes would be billed to UA. Three meal tickets provided for the next day. Hotel had a tennis court, gym, indoor pool, etc. Nice facilities.

No one had heard from UA the next morning. Several called and found out about rebooking. I took the hotel bus to the town of Narita and walked around for a while before going back for lunch and a nap. Sometime after 2:00pm a note was placed under the door with the rebooking information.

Skipped dinner and took the 4:40pm hotel shuttle to the airport. 7:30pm flight did not leave until close to 9:00pm, as 827 form Honolulu was five hours late in arriving. I assume that they had to DH a 744 from SFO to cover for the one stuck in NRT. UA did not hold any of the Asia flights for the incoming HNL passengers.

Overall, UA did a good enough job. I can't say enough about the flight deck and cabin crews. Some more communication the following day could have been forthcoming. Just a stack of envelopes in the lobby with new flights and tickets would have saved everyone a lot of stress the next day.


[This message has been edited by Ted (edited 02-22-2003).]