Originally Posted by
c_stanley
I don't know the 738 well enough, but a no flap landing in a large passenger jet is usually at least a semi-big deal.
The longer runway is one issue that can be solved. That doesn't solve the issue of a much faster landing speed, which has its own set of problems, including the effect on the landing gear and the risk of blowing a tire, etc.
The flaps weren't necessarily up for landing, they could have done a partial flap landing which would result in approach speeds only slightly higher than normal