Flight 799 Diverted to Azores
Jun 27, 2013, 12:16 pm
#1
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Flight 799 Diverted to Azores
I read that US Flight 799 from AMS to PHL diverted to the Azores yesterday for an oil leak. I saw they were sending a 767 to pick up the passengers from the 757 as an additional segment.
What I was wondering was how often does a plane get diverted in the middle of the Atlantic like this? What type of accommodations exist at a remote airfield in the middle of the ocean for the passengers?
Anyone experience it that can relate their experience.
What I was wondering was how often does a plane get diverted in the middle of the Atlantic like this? What type of accommodations exist at a remote airfield in the middle of the ocean for the passengers?
Anyone experience it that can relate their experience.
Jun 27, 2013, 12:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 642
Does not happen often (in comparison to the number of TATL flights). The Azores is one of the standard diversion airports for TATL flights. Twin engine a/c that fly routes with a long flying time from a diversion airport (ETOPS flights) have very high standards when it comes to engine maintenance items.
There are a lot of hotel rooms in the Azores. Much better to divert there than some of the truly remote islands in the Pacific. A Delta 747 flying HNL-KIX diverted to Midway a couple of years ago with a cracked windshield - http://avherald.com/h?article=43e52c40 --- the folks on the island had to build a set of stairs (they didn't have any high enough to reach a 747 door).
Coincidentally, a Condor 767 actually diverted to the Azores the previous day - and the replacement aircraft dispatched to continue the flight the following day ended up diverting to Bermuda... group of unlucky passengers there.
There are a lot of hotel rooms in the Azores. Much better to divert there than some of the truly remote islands in the Pacific. A Delta 747 flying HNL-KIX diverted to Midway a couple of years ago with a cracked windshield - http://avherald.com/h?article=43e52c40 --- the folks on the island had to build a set of stairs (they didn't have any high enough to reach a 747 door).
Coincidentally, a Condor 767 actually diverted to the Azores the previous day - and the replacement aircraft dispatched to continue the flight the following day ended up diverting to Bermuda... group of unlucky passengers there.
Last edited by tlott; Jun 27, 2013 at 12:47 pm
Jun 27, 2013, 1:40 pm
#3
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The Azores
I spent a lot of time at the airport there (flying for the Navy) and, while it is never fun to get diverted, I couldn't think of a nice place to spend an extra day. The place is gorgeous.
Jun 27, 2013, 1:45 pm
#4
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The Azores are hardly a "remote airfield". Lot of holiday traffic from Europe. Plenty of hotel space.
Jun 27, 2013, 2:07 pm
#5
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In January, a DL 777 diverted to a much more remote island in the Atlantic:
http://www.flyertalk.com/the-gate/bl...otographs.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/the-gate/bl...otographs.html
Jun 27, 2013, 2:08 pm
#6
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Jun 27, 2013, 3:54 pm
#7
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Engines Turn Or Passengers Swim.
(Given that FAA calls it an abbreviation for "Extended Operations," the UK's CAA defines ETOPS as "Extended range Twin Operations," EASA defines it as "Extended Range Operation with Two-Engine Aeroplanes" and ICAO as "Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards, I argue my definition is as likely as theirs.)
(Given that FAA calls it an abbreviation for "Extended Operations," the UK's CAA defines ETOPS as "Extended range Twin Operations," EASA defines it as "Extended Range Operation with Two-Engine Aeroplanes" and ICAO as "Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards, I argue my definition is as likely as theirs.)
Jun 27, 2013, 4:51 pm
#8
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Much better to divert there than some of the truly remote islands in the Pacific. A Delta 747 flying HNL-KIX diverted to Midway a couple of years ago with a cracked windshield - http://avherald.com/h?article=43e52c40 --- the folks on the island had to build a set of stairs (they didn't have any high enough to reach a 747 door).
Jun 27, 2013, 5:10 pm
#9
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In January, a DL 777 diverted to a much more remote island in the Atlantic:
http://www.flyertalk.com/the-gate/bl...otographs.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/the-gate/bl...otographs.html
Jun 27, 2013, 6:56 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,187
If you are interested in diversions, best thing to do is read www.avherald.com. Just do a search for "divert". Here's the link to its story on the US799 diversion.
http://www.avherald.com/h?article=464779a8&opt=0
Jun 29, 2013, 2:27 pm
#11
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Jul 1, 2013, 2:04 pm
#13
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Azores
The Azores consists of 9 islands and one of them has an airstrip as long and wide that the space shuttle could land on it. We have excellent hotels and accommodation. Come visit us! The best island is Faial and I can personally help you find your vacation home.
