Originally Posted by
Genius1
Not sure how Heathrow is to blame here. BA are responsible for their own stand planning at Heathrow and BA are responsible for all ground handling of BA aircraft (including steps and buses to the aircraft).
But, then, what would the alternative be when no gate is available - cancel the flight lest the passengers should be stuck on a taxiway at the destination airport? BA can't plan a gate into existence. If there are no gates you need to wait for one somewhere - either at LHR or at the departure airport. I've been stuck on airplanes both at the departure airport and at LHR many times, sometimes for 2-3 hours. In my experience, LHR is the worst during bad weather as it is at capacity already.
SP0, I am surprised this was your first experience of being stuck on an aircraft. You are definitely lucky!
I don't travel nearly as much as a GGL passenger would, but I had quite a few annoying experiences of sitting on an airplane at LHR waiting for a gate or for other planes to get out of our way to one.