What is delay code ZO ?
May 23, 2019, 12:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
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Posts: 4,163
What is delay code ZO ?
I’m currently sitting in the much improved MUC lounge waiting for BA954 to get here from LHR to operate my BA955 back. Currently showing a 2:30 delay after leaving LHR at 19:02 instead of 16:30. ExpertFlyer shows the following:
DOBA954/23MAY
* OPERATIONAL FLIGHT INFO * BA 954 0 TH 23MAY19
CITY INFO HOUR (LOCAL)
LHR ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE 1900
DELAY ZO
LEFT THE GATE 1902
TOOK OFF 1921
ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL 2206 MUC
*1A PLANNED FLIGHT INFO* BA 954 0 TH 23MAY19
APT ARR DY DEP DY CLASS/MEAL EQP GRND EFT TTL
LHR 1630 TH JCDRI/M YB/G 319 2:00
HKMLVNOQSG/G
MUC 1930 TH 2:00
COMMENTS-
1.LHR MUC - MEMBER OF ONEWORLD
2.LHR MUC - DEPARTS TERMINAL 5
3.LHR MUC - ARRIVES TERMINAL 1
4.LHR MUC - 9/ NON-SMOKING
5.LHR MUC - ET/ ELECTRONIC TKT CANDIDATE
6.LHR MUC - CO2/PAX* 105.98 KG ECO, 105.98 KG PRE
(*):SOURCE:ICAO CARBON EMISSIONS CALCULATOR
CONFIGURATION-
319 C 24 M 107
>
What does “Delay ZO” mean?
DOBA954/23MAY
* OPERATIONAL FLIGHT INFO * BA 954 0 TH 23MAY19
CITY INFO HOUR (LOCAL)
LHR ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE 1900
DELAY ZO
LEFT THE GATE 1902
TOOK OFF 1921
ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL 2206 MUC
*1A PLANNED FLIGHT INFO* BA 954 0 TH 23MAY19
APT ARR DY DEP DY CLASS/MEAL EQP GRND EFT TTL
LHR 1630 TH JCDRI/M YB/G 319 2:00
HKMLVNOQSG/G
MUC 1930 TH 2:00
COMMENTS-
1.LHR MUC - MEMBER OF ONEWORLD
2.LHR MUC - DEPARTS TERMINAL 5
3.LHR MUC - ARRIVES TERMINAL 1
4.LHR MUC - 9/ NON-SMOKING
5.LHR MUC - ET/ ELECTRONIC TKT CANDIDATE
6.LHR MUC - CO2/PAX* 105.98 KG ECO, 105.98 KG PRE
(*):SOURCE:ICAO CARBON EMISSIONS CALCULATOR
CONFIGURATION-
319 C 24 M 107
>
What does “Delay ZO” mean?
May 23, 2019, 12:45 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: UK. West Sussex
Programs: BAEC. Gold
Posts: 786
As for 'Z CODES' The Z codes break down delays by department, and are further sub divided with three letter codes. However for reference;
ZA - ATC
ZC - CARGO
ZD - SECURITY
ZE - ENGINEERING
ZF - FLIGHT CREW
ZJ - INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (IT)
ZK - CABIN CREW
ZL - GROUND FLEET SERVICES
ZM - CATERING
ZO - OPERATIONS
ZP - PASSENGER SERVICES
ZR - RAMP
ZT - AIRPORT CENTRE (think load control/load sheets etc)
ZW - WEATHER (Micheal Fish gets his very own hurricane/not hurricane code)
ZZ - AIRPORT AND AUTHORIES.
ZA - ATC
ZC - CARGO
ZD - SECURITY
ZE - ENGINEERING
ZF - FLIGHT CREW
ZJ - INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (IT)
ZK - CABIN CREW
ZL - GROUND FLEET SERVICES
ZM - CATERING
ZO - OPERATIONS
ZP - PASSENGER SERVICES
ZR - RAMP
ZT - AIRPORT CENTRE (think load control/load sheets etc)
ZW - WEATHER (Micheal Fish gets his very own hurricane/not hurricane code)
ZZ - AIRPORT AND AUTHORIES.
May 23, 2019, 12:56 pm
#3
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Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
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Ok, thanks, that is indeed very helpful.
Actually just received an email from BA and have to admit to being mildly impressed. There’s nobody in a BA uniform anywhere airside here but they did at least send the following message:
Now, the information cannot be accurate since the aircraft since the time of departure mentioned in the Email is the estimated time of arrival of the inbound aircraft but it is an open and honest communication and in stark contrast to anything being provided here on the ground.
Actually just received an email from BA and have to admit to being mildly impressed. There’s nobody in a BA uniform anywhere airside here but they did at least send the following message:
Dear MR Tafflyer
We would like to apologise for the disruption to your flight BA955 to London Heathrow. We understand any delay to your travel plans can be frustrating and stressful and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.
The aircraft operating your flight has developed a technical issue prior to its departure from London to Munich which required us to perform an aircraft change.
I am pleased to advise you that the aircraft operating your flight is now on its way to Munich. The new estimated time of departure of your flight is 22:15 local time.
We apologise for the delay to this service, and any inconvenience caused. Please continue to check ba.com/travel/flightstatus for the most up to date information on your flight.
Warm regards,
British Airways Customer Service
We would like to apologise for the disruption to your flight BA955 to London Heathrow. We understand any delay to your travel plans can be frustrating and stressful and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.
The aircraft operating your flight has developed a technical issue prior to its departure from London to Munich which required us to perform an aircraft change.
I am pleased to advise you that the aircraft operating your flight is now on its way to Munich. The new estimated time of departure of your flight is 22:15 local time.
We apologise for the delay to this service, and any inconvenience caused. Please continue to check ba.com/travel/flightstatus for the most up to date information on your flight.
Warm regards,
British Airways Customer Service
May 23, 2019, 1:27 pm
#5
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Lightning does, then, appear to strike twice at the same point. Looking at a 2:30 delay at this time of night is a right PITA as Mrs Tafflyer, who I was due to pick up at LGW from another flight will now be forced into the Hilton there. The delay is not long enough for either BA or my insurance to cover that either. Oh well, one of those things. At least the beer here is very good.
May 23, 2019, 3:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: Gold at BA, Hilton and Radisson.
Posts: 592
Random Friday night fact...
My students are often amazed by a time lapse video showing lightning strikes on the spire of the Empire State Building. To be fair, it's only about 22 per year, but, it strikes more than once in the same place!
My students are often amazed by a time lapse video showing lightning strikes on the spire of the Empire State Building. To be fair, it's only about 22 per year, but, it strikes more than once in the same place!
May 23, 2019, 6:39 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
Probably has so many strikes because it is one of the tallest buildings around and it has a lightning rod at the top to safeguard it and people around it. The lightning rod attracts lightning so that it does not strike something else. This provides a cone of protection around the building.
May 24, 2019, 12:49 am
#8
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I'll just add in a few comments about ZO since it is the most common delay code you will see in the system. It does indeed mean an operational cause for the delay. At LHR a non exhaustive list could include gate not being available, slot delays impacting take off (very common), a delay caused by the usual daily runway switch-over, poor weather (even though there is ZW). It's not really done from a perspective of (say) EC261, it's just how the turnaround manager sees the situation on the ground. So for example if the baggage loading was delayed due to some screw-up with the loading, that may well get ZO and it's purely under the airline's control. If there was a delay due to torrential rain, it could easily be ZO and there wouldn't be much anyone can do about it.
May 24, 2019, 4:51 am
#10
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I'll just add in a few comments about ZO since it is the most common delay code you will see in the system. It does indeed mean an operational cause for the delay. At LHR a non exhaustive list could include gate not being available, slot delays impacting take off (very common), a delay caused by the usual daily runway switch-over, poor weather (even though there is ZW). It's not really done from a perspective of (say) EC261, it's just how the turnaround manager sees the situation on the ground. So for example if the baggage loading was delayed due to some screw-up with the loading, that may well get ZO and it's purely under the airline's control. If there was a delay due to torrential rain, it could easily be ZO and there wouldn't be much anyone can do about it.
May 24, 2019, 5:00 am
#11
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Thanks for that. It sounds to me like it’s the default code then for anything. I really wasn’t looking at it from the EC261 perspective this time as BA not only appeared to do all they could to rectify the situation but for the first time I can remember they proactively contacted me with a clear reason for the delay and an apology. I have always said that when you travel a lot, things will go wrong. It’s how you handle it that counts. The MUC based ground agents were noticeable by their absence though and even made a last and final call the moment the inbound aircraft landed. Waiting in a bus on the apron watching the inbound passengers disembark into their bus is not really my idea of a premium ground experience.
But yes, I would share your view that ZO is more or less a default here.
Aug 12, 2022, 3:56 am
#12
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Posts: 4,248
Does anyone know if delay reason ZO makes a flight eligible for EC/UK261 comp if the resulting missed connection is scheduled to, and actually does, arrive over four hours later than the first connecting flight was scheduled?
details: JFK-LHR-LIS on BA112, BA500 missed connection and put on later BA flight to LIS
* OPERATIONAL FLIGHT INFO * BA 112 -1 TH 11AUG22
CITY INFO HOUR (LOCAL)
JFK ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE 1830
LEFT THE GATE 1847
TOOK OFF 1934
DELAY ZO
ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL 0629 LHR
LHR AIRCRAFT LANDED 0631
ARRIVED 0657
*1A PLANNED FLIGHT INFO* BA 112 -1 TH 11AUG22
APT ARR DY DEP DY CLASS/MEAL EQP GRND EFT TTL
JFK 1830 TH FAJCDRIWETY/M 77W 7:00
BHKMLVSNQOG/M
LHR 0630 FR 7:00
COMMENTS-
1.JFK LHR - MEMBER OF ONEWORLD
2.JFK LHR - DEPARTS TERMINAL 7
3.JFK LHR - ARRIVES TERMINAL 5
4.JFK LHR - 9/ NON-SMOKING
5.JFK LHR - SECURED FLIGHT
6.JFK LHR - ET/ ELECTRONIC TKT CANDIDATE
7.JFK LHR - CO2/PAX* 315.21 KG ECO, 630.42 KG PRE
(*):SOURCE:ICAO CARBON EMISSIONS CALCULATOR
CONFIGURATION-
77W F 8 J 76 W 40 M 130
>
details: JFK-LHR-LIS on BA112, BA500 missed connection and put on later BA flight to LIS
Comments:
DOBA112/11AUG* OPERATIONAL FLIGHT INFO * BA 112 -1 TH 11AUG22
CITY INFO HOUR (LOCAL)
JFK ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE 1830
LEFT THE GATE 1847
TOOK OFF 1934
DELAY ZO
ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL 0629 LHR
LHR AIRCRAFT LANDED 0631
ARRIVED 0657
*1A PLANNED FLIGHT INFO* BA 112 -1 TH 11AUG22
APT ARR DY DEP DY CLASS/MEAL EQP GRND EFT TTL
JFK 1830 TH FAJCDRIWETY/M 77W 7:00
BHKMLVSNQOG/M
LHR 0630 FR 7:00
COMMENTS-
1.JFK LHR - MEMBER OF ONEWORLD
2.JFK LHR - DEPARTS TERMINAL 7
3.JFK LHR - ARRIVES TERMINAL 5
4.JFK LHR - 9/ NON-SMOKING
5.JFK LHR - SECURED FLIGHT
6.JFK LHR - ET/ ELECTRONIC TKT CANDIDATE
7.JFK LHR - CO2/PAX* 315.21 KG ECO, 630.42 KG PRE
(*):SOURCE:ICAO CARBON EMISSIONS CALCULATOR
CONFIGURATION-
77W F 8 J 76 W 40 M 130
>
Aug 12, 2022, 4:03 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2013
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Posts: 2,351
Does anyone know if delay reason ZO makes a flight eligible for EC/UK261 comp if the resulting missed connection is scheduled to, and actually does, arrive over four hours later than the first connecting flight was scheduled?
details: JFK-LHR-LIS on BA112, BA500 missed connection and put on later BA flight to LIS
details: JFK-LHR-LIS on BA112, BA500 missed connection and put on later BA flight to LIS
Aug 12, 2022, 4:04 am
#14
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Not mine, a friend’s. Connection booked was 1hr to BA500. They’ve ended up on the next flight to LIS which arrives more than 4hrs after the original connection was meant to
Aug 12, 2022, 4:08 am
#15
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ZO does not automatically give a green light to EC261. It depends on the cause of the operational delay, which is usually explained by the flight deck in the preflight briefing. However as a very general point, a 1 hour connection means that almost any fairly trivial event can cause a misconnect so the risk of this happening is high and the chance of it being an EC261 event is not high. So the usual thing, it depends on the details. At a guess from the data above, it seems that there may have been a short delay on take off, quite normal at JFK, another delay in the landing approach to LHR and another short delay in getting to the gate, weight of traffic, so it won't take much of that to miss a connection and it would not be in scope for EC261.