Delayed LGW - PMI BA2572 June 2
 

Can any BA staffers provide any insight on the delayed BA2572 LGW to Majorca today and when it is expected to go please? Got some friends waiting for it at LGW.

Delayed 4 hours so far and seems unsure if it will go out tonight. Also, what is the cause of the delay for EU261purposes?

Thanks!

At a guess it looks like maybe a technical issue leading to a return to the gate? In any case duty of care will apply so that means a hotel tonight near LGW if necessary.

As to compensation, your friends will have presumably been told by the flight crew why they returned to the gate? but as mikeyfly notes probably best left for another day worrying about that.

Sad that airlines operating in Europe required legislation in order to clean up their acts in order to improve on-time reliability and to treat their passengers properly.

Treating passengers properly in terms of a mandated duty of care I understand and agree with, but has EC261 compensation actually been shown to have improved on time reliability? It seems the majority of my significant delays/cancellations have usually been due to reasons where no compensation is payable - typically weather.

EDIT: not that the compensation isn't nice to have of course when it is due :)

This is Flyertalk. Most people here think about compo before they get on board. Along with upgrades, re routes and a host of other matters:D

I do not have comprehensive data to support a broad conclusion of OTP improvement, but my own anecdotes over the last 5-10 years shows that my own flight delays are down which is great. And specifically for BA, my expierence (even after 3 disrupted flights this weekend!) that their reliability has improved, on average, over the last years. Certainly, all the great efforts by LHR ATC (or UK ATC) has meant less holding and better reliability, for which I am thankful :)

Most fares in advance to Europe and USA are cheaper than they have ever been !

Folks, just a reminder : it’s best if threads enquiring about operational matters aren’t diverted by interminable reheats of the wider EC261 debate.

Let’s stick to answering the OPs question.

/mod

Yesterday's BA2572 had a very lengthy delay due to a return to stand for tech reasons to which followed an aircraft change... so definitely EC261able.

Speaking of EC261, my biggest chagrin with it - and I say it very well aware of my own hypocrisy, for I too benefitted from it with Lufthansa - is that compensation applies for technical reasons too. I understand the reason why, but I also know from experience that many (most, indeed) issues aren't exactly predictable. What worries me is that the prospective of having to pay 600 euro/head to 250+ passengers might force somebody, somewhere, to sign off an aircraft when they shouldn't, with dire consequences. Pressure to release an aircraft for service has been one of the human factor causes (together with fatigue) of several high profile accidents, including a few in BA. Some have made headlines, some haven't; but regardless, they happened. Work-Time limitations have been introduced to deal with fatigue and they're very successful; however it seems to me we're going the opposite way with regards to pressure to release aircrafts on time.

My own 2p of course.

As a general matter, the best place to obtain delay information is at the airport. While not every announcement and every staff interaction results in accurate information, it can be insightful and useful.

If you are delayed and are concerned about the reason, ask.