Flight # 201 JNB to ATL diverted to JFK
Dec 29, 2019, 3:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Delta Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriot Gold
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I wonder if it has to do with strong winter headwinds? As strange as it seems, JNB/JFK is actually shorter (7969 miles) thank JNB/ATL (8439 miles). Odd that they’re diverting so early into the flight?
Dec 29, 2019, 3:28 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
According to Flightstats, the decision to "redirect" the flight to JFK vs ATL happened about 2.5 hours prior to departure.
Dec 29, 2019, 4:34 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: MSP
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This flight could have had more passengers or cargo, or the weather is different. Both could affect takeoff performance and not allow them to carry the necessary fuel in order to save weight.
Dec 29, 2019, 4:46 pm
#8
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Dec 29, 2019, 5:45 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,343
I'm going to hazard a guess that the passengers will have to do US immigration and customs at JFK. Considering that point and JFK is a mini "Delta hub", could individuals ask for a flight from there to their final destination (assuming there are flights from JFK)? Or if someone's final destination is NYC area I'm assuming they could just disregard the JFK-ATL flight.
Dec 29, 2019, 5:57 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 237
The way airlines often work is they depart with enough fuel but not enough fuel to meet regulations. They officially will stop (meeting fuel requirements) but never really plan to stop. When they reach near that point, they will recalculate and meet the fuel requirements.
Dec 29, 2019, 6:47 pm
#11
Formerly known as scootr29
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 976
I'm going to hazard a guess that the passengers will have to do US immigration and customs at JFK. Considering that point and JFK is a mini "Delta hub", could individuals ask for a flight from there to their final destination (assuming there are flights from JFK)? Or if someone's final destination is NYC area I'm assuming they could just disregard the JFK-ATL flight.
Dec 29, 2019, 7:08 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,368
expertflyer flight status still has it going to ATL, looks like a 48 min pitstop for fuel (no disembark), departs JFK 730 (probably will be late) arrives ATL 10:00ish?
flightaware doesn't have the flightplan for this flight (theres a flightplan available for yesterday's DL201), but it also agrees on new segment for DL201 for 07:10am JFK-> ATL 09:50
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL201
FLT INFO 201/29DEC-30DEC
LOF ARR DEP ETA ON IN ETD OUT OFF ACF☨
JNB 855P 950P 945P 1000P 77L
JFK* 648A 730A
ATL 715A☨1 1158A 1000A* 77L
QXM 759P
LOF ARR DEP ETA ON IN ETD OUT OFF ACF☨
JNB 855P 950P 945P 1000P 77L
JFK* 648A 730A
ATL 715A☨1 1158A 1000A* 77L
QXM 759P
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL201
Last edited by paperwastage; Dec 29, 2019 at 7:16 pm
Dec 29, 2019, 9:38 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,221
I would hope Delta would allow passengers to disembark at JFK and route them to their final destination. For instance we were on the JNB to ATL flight last Sunday. I would be ok with diverting to JFK if they rebooked me on a JFK to DTW flight which was my final destination. But if they made the passengers divert to JFK and then continue to ATL and then to DTW I would not be happy about that.
Dec 30, 2019, 5:43 am
#14
Formerly known as scootr29
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 976
Might be a bit of a mess dealing with all that checked baggage, even if it's all tagged to the ultimate destination. I suppose they could tell you that you could go direct but your bag wouldn't, and that you'd ultimately have to get it yourself at the airport (or pay for home delivery).
Dec 30, 2019, 7:56 am
#15
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Getting off at JFK has nothing to do with DL. Instead it's a US CBP issue. Except in very extreme circumstances CBP will require everyone to remain onboard and continue to ATL. They may allow extra crew and food/drink to board, but rarely will they allow the plane to disembark and clear .
