this one never made the news in Canada. Too pro-Air Canada I suppose. Not sure if it was every posted here on Flyer Talk but here goes as it is true. Thankfully I flew to PEK a few days later so avoided this senario.

Crew on diverted flight exhibits leadership, patience and aplomb during very difficult situation. Our June 8 flight AC031 from Toronto-Beijing diverted to Tianjin, China due to severe thunderstorms in Beijing. The diversion became an extremely complicated situation when the authorities could not grant permission or clearance for the aircraft to be gated or moved, resulting in customers and crew remaining onboard for more than 12 hours in Tianjin before the weather in Beijing finally improved to enable our flight to resume.

The crew on this flight that totaled 29 hours handled an enormously difficult situation with grace, patience and aplomb. Starting in the first hour after diverting to Tianjin, requests for food and beverages were made on an hourly basis to the Tianjin ground services staff to no avail. At one point, the crew was requested to provide $1,700 cash in advance for cookies.

Approximately two and a half hours later, air-stairs and an Air China representative arrived. Our crew’s numerous requests to allow passengers and crew to clear customs were categorically declined. Urgent requests for food and beverages continued to be made and understood, still to no avail.



At the four hour mark, aircraft re-fuelling commenced as there was somewhat of a break in the Beijing weather. As the fueller was not familiar with fuelling a Boeing 777, the Captain and First Officer climbed the ladder to aid with the fuelling process. Waste was dumped and potable water was boarded with the Captain and Relief Pilot assisting. Only 50% water level could be obtained. The crew was still making regular, hourly requests for catering to be brought to the aircraft.



All the while on the ground, regular announcements were made to update passengers of weather and estimated time for departure. Pilots and flight attendants were in the cabin regularly to speak to customers directly, and they clearly were instrumental in defusing potentially explosive situations in the cabin due to high levels of anxiety among numerous customers.



Eight hours after arriving in Tianjin, “catering” finally arrived. It was now 10 hours since the last breakfast service on the flight. The “catering” consisted of cookies, water and individual tetra packs of warm milk. At this point, customers pitched in to help pilots and flight attendants distribute these items. Despite all the adverse circumstances, passenger morale remained co-operative and calm.



Ten hours after diversion, our replacement pilots arrived from Beijing as the pilots on the still stranded flight had exceeded government-regulated hours on duty.



More than 11 hours after diversion, the flight was ready to depart, however Air Traffic Control continued to hold our aircraft. Adding to passenger anxiety was the fact their friends and relatives waiting for them at Beijing airport confirmed that the airport had been open for some time. Reports from Beijing airport indicated family members waiting there were extremely anxious.



29 hours after leaving Toronto. A passenger onboard this flight submitted this handwritten note when they finally arrived and disembarked in Beijing:



Dear Captain, Pilots and Crew,



I want to take just a moment and say thank you. After being on an airplane for 24+ hours, I can honestly say I hope I never have to do this again. However, if for some reason I do, I can only dream of having a crew even half as good as you. Patience in a time like this is key. And even more so for you, having to serve and care for every single passenger on the plane. You are all leaders doing an excellent job of modeling this patience for us all. Every one of you is excellent at what you do. You are greatly appreciated. Without you things could have gone in many other directions. I am thankful for dedicated workers, loving people and awesome leaders.