Two years ago I was flying on business on BA from MIA to LHR. After take off, the plane did not climb to cruisning altitude, turned around and flew towards the gulf of Mexico for about 30 minutes. Most people didnt notice, I inquired and was told that things were fine. Eventually the Pilot came over the intercom and said that due to some strange smeel coming from the back of the cabin we had to land again. Flying over the evrglades was done to dump fuel as the plane can not land with such a heavy load of fuel.

Upon landning (with all the excitements of the plane being trailed by fire engines and ambulances) we made it to the terminal. Here the real ordeal started. As we had left the USA, we were not allowed into any common areas of the terminal. Our area was cordoned by about 10 officers from immigration that made sure nobody would leave the area. There were no refreshments offered or anything for about 3 hours. Fortunately there was access to a toilet.

Eventually the problem was fixed (an air condition unit) and we took off again for LHR.

I was sleeping and when I woke up and saw that the plane was getting ready to land. I was on a window seat and saw the sea!! As I remembered London is not by the sea. Surprised I asked what was going on (I had missed the announcements while sleeping) and I was told that we were landing on Cardiff because the crew had exceeded it limit time.

Upon landing, we were tansferred to buses and were taken to LHR. Instead of arriving at around 8 am at LHR, we arrived around 6pm.

What I find absurd is that BA once it figured that the crew would not make it to LHR, why they didnt send a replacement crew to Cardiff to wait for the plane and take it to LHR, rather than subject all passengers to a several hours bus ride.

After a couple of weeks I got a letter apologizing. They credited a few thousand miles (I do not remember how much, but I think it was between 5 and 10k) and they included a CMO for BP125. Not bad for not asking. Though the flight was terrible.



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