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For transatlantic flights, two important "backups" are in Iceland and in the Azores. I wonder how often airplanes actually have to detour to these airports...
by ufo 6y ago
For transatlantic flights, two important "backups" are in Iceland and in the Azores. I wonder how often airplanes actually have to detour to these airports...
- jfk13 6y agoIt happens: I was on an London - USA flight that detoured to Iceland some years ago. (Fortunately nothing was seriously broken, burning, etc., but there was a warning indication of some kind that the pilot wanted to have checked.) The view coming in to Keflavik, with whales swimming in the ocean below, was pretty cool.
- kps 6y agoLast I know of is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transat_Flight_236 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transat_Flight_236 running out of fuel.
- will_asouka 6y agoHappens fairly regularly but for passenger issues rather than technical- medical emergencies and disruptive passengers usually. Airlines have contracts with companies who provide a sat phone link to doctors who have the flight information and medical facilities at possible diversion airfields. Eg MedAire.
- sxcurry 6y agoYears ago I was on a 747 from SFO to LHR that landed in Iceland - oil pressure problem in an engine. A guy drove out with a pickup truck, climbed into the engine using a ladder in the back of the truck, and started hammering away. After a few hours in the terminal we got back on the plane and flew the rest of the way to LHR. I kept wondering just how qualified he was...