Extended BA flight times due to conflict avoidance [Pakistan airspace closure]
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
All depends. Some aircraft were through before the air space was closed. Those that did not are unlikely to go anywhere near the airspace. If this continues, it may cause service interruptions, e.g. the need to cancel a flight every few days in order to make up for additional staff and aircraft. Not worth speculating about until this plays out.
#19
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,226
Could it be to do with crew duty times? There are strict limits. As I understand it, the commander can extend this at their discretion up to a certain limit. Keep in mind that SIN has 4 flight deck crew whereas KUL has 3 IIRC, which might make a difference.
#20
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,105
Singapore flights have 4 flight crew, allowing more flying time within each person's allowable duty hours.
KUL seems particularly poorly positioned for this Pakistani airspace problem. A slightly northerly route from KUL-LHR goes over Pakistan, a slightly southerly one to avoid Pakistan crosses right over Crimea and that isn't a popular route either these days. So with both Crimea or Pakistan out of bounds, a rather longer flight is inevitable.
#21
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,742
To add to that, while the plane may be capable of that flight length, typically only the amount of fuel needed for the planned flight plus some contingency is loaded. The fuel tanks will not be 100% full for most flights.
#23
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 263
Interestingly on my way out to KUL the route had been over the middle east and central India. The route back was the more northerly route.
#25
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: usually somewhere between 30000 and 40000 feet...but actually the English countryside
Programs: BA GGL/Lifetime Gold, EK Gold, Lowly M&M, Marriott tit, Hhonors Diamond, numerous others
Posts: 1,156
On the plus side our bags were first off and spinning on the carousel as we came down to them - obviously the baggage handlers were hoping for an early dart!
As an added bonus the LHR landing was a "greaser"...
#27
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: Aeroplan, BA Executive, AMEX MR
Posts: 108
BA11 appears to be running on the regular flight time (apr. 13hrs).
https://www.flightradar24.com/BAW11/1fa427f1
BA12 is at 13.5hrs. They appear to have resolved the issue (fingers crossed)
https://www.flightradar24.com/BAW12/1fa396fc
https://www.flightradar24.com/BAW11/1fa427f1
BA12 is at 13.5hrs. They appear to have resolved the issue (fingers crossed)
https://www.flightradar24.com/BAW12/1fa396fc
#28
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,368
I guess it’s a case of watch this space but hope you are not affected too badly.
#29
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,368
we did indeed stop at OTP for a refuel which took approx 1.5 hours. One poor PAC needed a doc on arrival at OTP but pleased to say he was OK. Crew were great. Food was OK. IFE was dire but nothing new there. 60 mph headwinds most of the way.
On the plus side our bags were first off and spinning on the carousel as we came down to them - obviously the baggage handlers were hoping for an early dart!
As an added bonus the LHR landing was a "greaser"...��
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 457
BA12 just arrived. According to Captain flight time was indeed 14h 57min, block 15h 23min. Take-off weight was 559.1t (900kg below MTOW) with 217.5t of fuel loaded. At one point we were flying into a 167kt headwind! He thinks this will be a record that stands for some time as the headwinds will be less by tomorrow.