G-XLEA BA207 LHR-MIA circling over Atlantic burning off fuel before returning to LHR
Jun 23, 2023, 5:09 am
#61
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Toulouse
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Posts: 283
Jun 23, 2023, 5:17 am
#62
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: IAD/DCA, USA (MD Suburbs)
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, HH Diamond, Fairmont RIP, Hertz Plat, BA Gold
Posts: 1,624
According to FlightRadar24, this frame is scheduled for the IAD 293/292 rotation today. I’m scheduled on 292 tonight. It was pretty full all week but it’s zeroed out now. Hopefully it’s an easy fix today and it goes out as scheduled. My last BA 292 flight was delayed until 3am and then landed at LHR right in the middle of the IT meltdown last month. Hoping for a better experience tonight!
Jun 23, 2023, 5:32 am
#63
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2023
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 183
According to FlightRadar24, this frame is scheduled for the IAD 293/292 rotation today. I’m scheduled on 292 tonight. It was pretty full all week but it’s zeroed out now. Hopefully it’s an easy fix today and it goes out as scheduled. My last BA 292 flight was delayed until 3am and then landed at LHR right in the middle of the IT meltdown last month. Hoping for a better experience tonight!
Jun 23, 2023, 5:36 am
#64
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 41
Jun 23, 2023, 5:38 am
#65
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,437
Jun 23, 2023, 5:49 am
#66
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, Diamond Status & on the Supreme Council des Conseillers, BA Ag, Bonvoy GFL/Plat, xVS Au
Posts: 833
When BA made the decision to replace the 744 it decided that it wanted the big twins, as they are far more efficient. There are a grand total of 48 747-8is built, 19 went to LH as a part compensation for a cancelled order, 10 and 7 went to Air China and Korean (can’t remember off hand who has which amount) 7, I think went to a lease company and a handful are elsewhere. No large carrier really chose them as a viable option as their economics suck compared to big twins.
The 380 order was more about LHR and capacity issues. History has already adjudged the 747-8i a commercial flop, the rest is a nostalgic like of the old jumbo, but in reality commercially it was a plane no-one really wanted, brought to market by the people who brought you the 737DeathMachine - sorry MAX. Boeing were trying to spoil the 380 not really trying to put out a sensible competitor. All the people who saw the financial side of it, walked away from the deal.
The 380 order was more about LHR and capacity issues. History has already adjudged the 747-8i a commercial flop, the rest is a nostalgic like of the old jumbo, but in reality commercially it was a plane no-one really wanted, brought to market by the people who brought you the 737DeathMachine - sorry MAX. Boeing were trying to spoil the 380 not really trying to put out a sensible competitor. All the people who saw the financial side of it, walked away from the deal.
As part of that I’m talking about how airlines have found them since purchase. To me, the success will be measured by how long we see these aircraft remain in the skies. Versus the a380, no 747-8is have been retired… yet. Will be interesting to see what happens with the eventual arrival of the 777x
Didn’t BA consider the 747-8 but wanted RR engines which Boeing weren’t prepared/able to do?
Jun 23, 2023, 6:05 am
#67
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 876
Am curious as to why not just dump all required fuel by jettison? What would be the operational reasons why fuel would first be jettisoned, then further fuel reduced by circling for 2 hours to bring it down further? Or were both actually being done simultaneously to maximise the rate?
Jun 23, 2023, 6:37 am
#68
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,758
Most airliners with dump capability can only dump from a specific tank or tanks and or a limited quantity. Depending on the zero fuel weight of the aircraft on that specific flight this may or may not get you below the max landing weight. On the 767ER as an example you can only dump down to 80,000 lbs. That fuel load can still leave you above max landing weight.
Jun 23, 2023, 6:42 am
#69
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BKK
Programs: Mucci Chevalier de la Brosse a Cheveux Dore, SK *GfL, BA Gold, WY G, HH DIA, IC Plat Amb., Hertz PC
Posts: 3,780
I wish people on this thread would just listen to the professionals and not play arm chair pilot. Waterhorse and other highly competent professionals have already provided facts, yet people keep second guessing…
Jun 23, 2023, 7:46 am
#70
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 2,075
I've heard this kind of comment from those who flew the L1011 many times. It really has a lot of love from those who operated it. I know it's off topic, but what were the things that made you enjoy it so much? I'd be curious to know.
Jun 23, 2023, 8:02 am
#71
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IC Hotels Spire, BA Gold
Posts: 8,679
Equally, mild speculation is also a way of asking a question and when an airline professional corrects this that is also welcomed.
Jun 23, 2023, 8:15 am
#72
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA Premier 1K, *A Gold
Posts: 160
According to FlightRadar24, this frame is scheduled for the IAD 293/292 rotation today. I’m scheduled on 292 tonight. It was pretty full all week but it’s zeroed out now. Hopefully it’s an easy fix today and it goes out as scheduled. My last BA 292 flight was delayed until 3am and then landed at LHR right in the middle of the IT meltdown last month. Hoping for a better experience tonight!
Jun 23, 2023, 8:19 am
#73
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 134
You'd think that, but I was due on the 192 tonight and was told there was nothing available on AA today. I managed to get the nicest guy on the BA Gold line (after the first one was hopeless) who re-booked me and my two auditors who were in Y on the AUS flight today. BA basically told them that there was no availability for 2 days and couldn't re-book them on other routes.
There seems to be zero desire to re-book people on alternative routes/carriers and many infrequent/non-seasoned travellers accept this as gospel as they don't know any different.
This makes no sense to me as, with the help above, we all managed to get re-booked on an existing flight that had seats and are due to get back to ABZ at the same time on Saturday. If we hadn't, that would have been 3 compo claims for 500 euros plus extra hotels, food etc. Multiply that up by a few hundred passengers and you'd think BA would want to spend more money on getting people re-routed as quickly as possible.
There seems to be zero desire to re-book people on alternative routes/carriers and many infrequent/non-seasoned travellers accept this as gospel as they don't know any different.
This makes no sense to me as, with the help above, we all managed to get re-booked on an existing flight that had seats and are due to get back to ABZ at the same time on Saturday. If we hadn't, that would have been 3 compo claims for 500 euros plus extra hotels, food etc. Multiply that up by a few hundred passengers and you'd think BA would want to spend more money on getting people re-routed as quickly as possible.
Jun 23, 2023, 8:31 am
#74
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,072
Jun 23, 2023, 8:32 am
#75
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 555
