Summary

  • A British Airways flight from Washington DC to London experienced technical issues.
  • Passengers reported frustration with unclear communication from the airline.
  • The Airbus A380 has remained on the ground after the incident, but is scheduled to depart for London on Tuesday.

Passengers on a British Airways (BA) long-haul flight from Washington DC to London on Sunday evening spent about five hours airborne, only to return to US soil. The flight, operated by an Airbus A380, experienced “technical issues,” prompting a diversion to Boston.

The ordeal reportedly frustrated some passengers, as the airline was unclear in its communication about what was going on. One passenger even claimed that a BA manager threatened to call the police for asking questions about what they should do next.

Flight details

According to data from FlightAware, BA292 is the daily scheduled flight between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The Sunday edition of the flight pushed back from its gate at 23:52 – more than an hour past its original gate departure time of 22:50. The jumbo jet, registered as G-XLEC, taxied to Runway 30, where it was airborne at 00:16 on Monday.

The aircraft quickly climbed in altitude and turned east about five minutes into the flight. About 25 minutes later, it had reached its cruising altitude of 39,000 feet and was flying just south of Long Island, New York. The flight continued and was uneventful for the next two hours as it headed northeast. At around 02:30 EST, the aircraft was flying southeast of St. John’s, but flight data shows it descended abruptly to 36,000 feet and turned around.

BA292 FR24 July 7, 2024.

Photo: Flightradar24

G-XLEC maintained the altitude for nearly two hours and headed back west toward the US. Approaching the Gulf of Maine, it began to descend at approximately 04:34. About 30 minutes later, the A380 was on final approach to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). It landed safely on Runway 33L at 05:09 – five hours and 17 minutes after pushing back at IAD.

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Affected passengers were then bussed to London Heathrow.

According to Boston 25 News, BA292 decided to divert to BOS after a crew member saw smoke in the cabin. Some passengers said they noticed the smell of something burning while airborne, but others said they did not smell any unusual scents. They were notified that the flight would be turning around and heading to Boston about three and a half hours in.

“We were being directed”

Michael Hennessy, from London, recalled hearing the announcement from the pilot to Boston 25 News.

“I just started to notice on the map that we were suddenly turning back and then the map kind of got shut down and the captain made the announcement that we were being redirected.”

Once the flight arrived at BOS, paramedics were reportedly dispatched to the terminal. Additionally, first responders went onboard the aircraft to inspect the cabin. With no clue of what to do next, passengers from the flight filled the baggage claim area.

Left in tears

Jenna Glieespen from London, who was also onboard the flight, said she asked BA whether it would accommodate her displacement, but a duty manager threatened to call police on her, according to Boston 25 News. The encounter left her in tears.

“They have been so rude today. I can’t imagine paying thousands and thousands a flight…They told people, ‘Hey, get your hotel. Here’s a number you can call and you might be reimbursed.’”

Another passenger also expressed their frustration.

“British Air could have been a little more helpful,” said Janice Siegel from Virginia. “The messaging wasn’t perfect.”

BA reportedly provided hotel accommodations and rebooked passengers on another flight. However, the process allegedly took more than five hours. Simple Flying contacted the airline for comment on the incident late Monday, but a representative could not be immediately reached.

British Airways Airbus A380 departing from Miami International Airport.

Photo: Victor De Leon | Shutterstock

According to Planespotters.net, G-XLEC is an 11-year-old A380. Flight data revealed that the aircraft has remained on the ground since the incident, but it is scheduled to depart Tuesday evening as BA212 to LHR.

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  • Southwest 737

    Boston Logan International Airport

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    BOS/KBOS

    Country:
    United States

    CEO:
    Lisa Wieland

    Passenger Count :
    12,635,325 (2020)

    Runways :
    4L/22R – 2,397m (7,864ft) |
    4R/22L – 3,050m (10,006ft) |
    9/27 – 2,134m (7,001ft) |
    14/32 – 1,524m (5,000ft) |
    15L/33R – 779m (2,555ft) |
    15R/33L – 3,073m (10,082ft)

    Terminals:
    Terminal A |
    Terminal B |
    Terminal C |
    Terminal E

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