Personally I also do not like the phrase "due to operational reasons" because it is meaningless.
The last flight I took was delayed for around an hour with that phrase being announced at the gate. After we boarded, the pilot told us that the flight was delayed due to weather at the destination
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I personally would be happy with the delay message if it contains:
- an estimate of the delay time (or saying that an estimate is not available at the moment)
- category of delay. I would accept weather (specifically previous leg or destination, local should be obvious), aircraft mechanical, crew, baggage, airport (eg, ramp, gate, or ATC issues) and (unlike HT) late arrival of previous leg.
Speaking of delayed flights, what do you make of
Chart of the day: What are the chances your plane will leave on time? - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) ? Australian airlines on domestic flights only. I am surprised it has not been brought up on pprune.