Major Mistakes By British Airways

Sept. 30, 2010 - PRLog -- After a Boeing 777 flight to Antigua, took off from St Kitts on the wrong runway, in September last year. British Airlines has been commanded to review its airfield inspections process.

The aircraft lifted off from the Caribbean island with 87 passengers on board, from a section of runway that was not long enough to take a Boeing 777. The pilots had around 1,220 metres less than if the aircraft had departed from the correct intersection.

The error was labeled as a "serious incident" by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

According to the accident report, the 39 year old BA co-pilot realized the mistake when he saw grass at the end of the runway under the plane's nose, as the aircraft became airborne.

A number of mistakes were revealed by the accident report, including airport authorities not installing any taxiway, or holding point signs at St Kitts, the crew not discussing their taxi routine and the crew misidentifying taxiway Bravo for taxiway Alpha.

The report also showed that it was the first time the captain and co-pilot had operated to or from St Kitts and the trainee air traffic control officer didn’t notify the flight crew they were at intersection Bravo.

Earlier British Airways had been involved in another giant mistake when passengers onboard a Hong Kong bound flight were told they were going to crash.

Two hundred and seventy-five passengers flying over the North Sea were horrified when a programmed voice announced, “This is an emergency announcement. We may shortly need to make an emergency landing on water”.

“People were terrified we all thought we were going to die. They said the pilot hit the wrong button because they were so close together,” passenger Michelle Lord said.

British Airways cabin crew managed to settle the upset passengers, by running through the aircraft explaining the unfortunate error. The airline has apologized to passengers for the “undue distress”.

On Oct 2, between 3.30 and 5.30 p.m. travelers were able book an airfare between the U.S. and India for just $40, including taxes, fees and surcharges.

“We were filing for a $40 increase in fares between the U.S. and India. Somewhere in that process, they eliminated the ‘plus’ sign.” said John Lampi, BA spokesman.

Due to many tickets being sold through third parties, such as Orbitz and Travel city British Airways didn’t even know how many customers grabbed the air deal of a lifetime.

It was later said that BA offered $300 to those fliers who mistakenly booked the $40 fare to India, as it sent out an urgent email to travel agents, “As these fares were so clearly below the normal fare levels, British Airways is unable to honor these bookings. We have cancelled all affected bookings made during this two-hour window and will make a full refund for any paid for and issued ticket.” It also said it would refund any fees associated with rebooking other airline segments on the same ticket.

For more information about "Major Mistakes By British Airways", visit website http://www.tropicpost.com/british-airlines-in-major-goofs/

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