ibmman69

Is this the reason they don't deplane? I've always wondered about the reason they don't deplane when I see these stories. I've been lucky, and never had a big delay while on board like OP experienced, but I'd be mad as hell if I was trapped on a plane while they work on it for hours. I get the EU compensation aspect of it they want to try to minimize, but it seems to me the pissed off customers should be their first concern considering the international travel market is crowded (unlike the US where we have an oligopoly w/ the domestic carriers). The customer is already mad there is a delay, and then you go and lock them on the plane for hours to boot. Doesn't make sense to me.

corporate-wage-slave

I understand the issue here, and of course the USA has unusually specific legislation over just this issue. But here is the problem: because of the need to match passengers and baggage, and given that about one third of passengers have some degree of nervousness to air travel, the numbers don't work out well. Disembarkation is what pushes people over the edge ("I don't feel safe on that 'plane"). Aircraft can be fixed in an hour, but disembarkation and re-embarkation on longhaul is generally about 2 hours after baggage reconciliation is done. A 40 minute slot restriction on heavy takeoff is also quite plausible at both LHR and LGW. Finally, if someone leaves an aircraft there may well need to be a security scan and baggage reconciliation of the cabin. Every seat may need to be checked. So yes, it is best to keep everyone on board. Amazingly the USA doesn't worry about baggage reconciliation on domestic services so the process can be different there. But much as though I too don't like being kept on board, I - and more importantly BA - knows exactly what would happen. Or rather not happen.

ibmman69

Are you sure about this? Is it airline specific? I've been on domestic flights in the US where we had to wait for baggage to be unloaded because a passenger didn't board.

That question aside, it sounds like it is a time and hassle issue for the airline. What I don't get about that time and hassle is flights that stopover in one city before heading on, SQ JFK to FRA flight and CX HKG to Vancouver come to mind, require everyone to deplane even if you're traveling on to the final destination.

OP said there was not much service for the passengers either. Is that standard? Could they not load extra catering while passengers wait on the plane so everyone is taken care of while the repair is completed?

T8191

I’m reminded of my experience (KIN16 trip report in my signature below) where we were actually fed on the aircraft before being disembarked for a night at the airport hotel. As CWS noted on that thread, it’s one way of stopping the pax getting restless while they sort things out!

UKtravelbear

Any truth in the rumour they meant the 747 in the Revolutionary War when there were cries of 'British Airways are coming! British Airways are coming!' ?

corporate-wage-slave

Yes, it's at the discretion of the captain on domestics.

wrp96

The picture I saw indicated it was a British Airways 757, not a 747.

UKtravelbear

blooming media never get plane types right do they??

Obruni Boy

Arrival delay now showing as 4 hr 16 min with an hour to run. Looks like the compo lottery will be won.

tmac100

Aluminium rusts?? Say what??
Unless things have changed from the last time I spoke with my airframe techhie friends, the flaps are NOT made of any rusting metal.

Yes, flying can be frustrating - BUT safety first ( as folks following the new B737 Max developments are discovering).

HIDDY

Must admit having been more of a long haul Y passenger over the years I find the story from the viewpoint of a J passenger a tad melodramatic.
Then again, we live in an age where technology and social media gives us the opportunity to stave of boredom by reporting live when such events occur. I suspect that's one of the reasons Flyertalk is so popular. This forum has a habit of throwing up melodramatic threads. I even remember there being several about raw BA sausages.

Jimmie Jet

KeaneJohn

GaxxyFlyer

UKtravelbear

the time that matters is doors open and passengers able to depart the aircraft

I'd take a photo of the arrivals board / status page of the BA App / flight radar etc anything that boosts your EU261 case