Go-around... how frequently does this happen?
Dec 12, 2018, 6:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 386
Go-around... how frequently does this happen?
Had an eventful landing on the BA flight from LUX last night. The aircraft was on final approach on 09L and had passed T5 on the starboard side when the pilot revved up the engines for a go-around. Apparently there was an aircraft on the runway (as the pilot calmly announced as she completed the left turn).
Curious to hear from those who may know how frequently go-arounds occur (it's my second such event in 30 years of travelling).
Curious to hear from those who may know how frequently go-arounds occur (it's my second such event in 30 years of travelling).
Last edited by Yeoman5; Dec 12, 2018 at 6:08 am Reason: spelling correction
Dec 12, 2018, 6:06 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: North of Watford Gap
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 602
Had an eventful landing on the BA flight from LUX last night. The aircraft was on final approach on 09L and had passed T5 on the starboard side when the pilot revved up the engines for a go-around. Apparently there was an aircraft on the runway (as the pilot calmly announced as she completed the left turn).
Curious to hear from those who may know how frequently go-arounds occur (it's my second such even in 30 years of travelling).
Curious to hear from those who may know how frequently go-arounds occur (it's my second such even in 30 years of travelling).
Dec 12, 2018, 6:06 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
Programs: BA GGL / GFL, Mucci Diamond!, HH Diamond, Radisson Premium, IHG Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 5,874
I've never had one even with a good 20+ years of relatively regular flying. At least I wouldn't be concerned if it happened, based on what I have read in FT over the years.
Dec 12, 2018, 6:10 am
#5
Join Date: May 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 663
I've had 6 - twice into DUB (different flights), twice into SYD (same flight, eek), and twice into LCY (different flights). On my most recent LCY go around, I remarked to the crew member that I thought I'd had about 5 by that point, to which she replied that she'd been cabin crew for ten years and that had been her first!!
So, I guess the answer is they happen when they happen, and you may or may not be on board at the time!
So, I guess the answer is they happen when they happen, and you may or may not be on board at the time!
Dec 12, 2018, 6:11 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 386
Indeed. No one seemed phased by it apart from the person sitting next to my colleague who apparently gripped their seat tightly and stared, open mouthed, straight ahead for the remainder of the flight. The CC sitting by the front door spent most the next couple of minutes trying to identify the offending aircraft.
Dec 12, 2018, 6:12 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London N8
Programs: BA (LTG), Miles&More (whatever the lowest level is), Oyster card (zones 1-2)
Posts: 885
I've had about four or five in thirty years of flying. It's a bit unnerving as my initial instinct is always to think there's something wrong with the plane, but it's always been the previous aircraft in my case.
Dec 12, 2018, 6:13 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,981
To answer the OP, I would say not that often, but often enough for it to be nothing particularly extraordinary. Traffic on runway (i.e. a/c not vacating quickly enough or taking off quickly enough) is pretty common.
I've experienced three go arounds. One was because of traffic on runway (on approach to LGW), one was a faulty indicator or warning light in the cockpit on approach and the crew wanted to go around to check to make sure everything was in order (we ended up making an uneventful landing- albeit it was foggy, which might have had something to do with it) and the best one was a touch and go at LCY, with the explanation being a changing wind direction- there's obviously not much room for error at LCY!
I've experienced three go arounds. One was because of traffic on runway (on approach to LGW), one was a faulty indicator or warning light in the cockpit on approach and the crew wanted to go around to check to make sure everything was in order (we ended up making an uneventful landing- albeit it was foggy, which might have had something to do with it) and the best one was a touch and go at LCY, with the explanation being a changing wind direction- there's obviously not much room for error at LCY!
Dec 12, 2018, 6:18 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 540
Dec 12, 2018, 6:20 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Dorset, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 633
Definitely not that often at all, but when they happen it tends to be for traffic on runway or changeable weather conditions.
I had two last year, one at LHR on an A380 from MIA which went around just before touchdown due to the normal reason - previous aircraft not vacated runway. The other was at MEL on a QF 738 about 500ft up due to windshear. I've also had a 747 go around at LHR due to windshear in 2015.
I had two last year, one at LHR on an A380 from MIA which went around just before touchdown due to the normal reason - previous aircraft not vacated runway. The other was at MEL on a QF 738 about 500ft up due to windshear. I've also had a 747 go around at LHR due to windshear in 2015.
Dec 12, 2018, 6:20 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,237
I've only had one - landing LHR early morning from DXB - being in the E/F seats in CW on a 747 it was quite a strange experience as couldn't see out any windows but knew something unusual was going on !
Dec 12, 2018, 6:40 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: BA GGL, A3*G, Mucci de l'expertise des Apps
Posts: 3,363
There is a slightly increased risk at LHR at the moment when using 09L particularly, but also somewhat 27R, due to the closure of large parts of taxiway A along the north side and a couple of runway exits.