Back in 2018 we were flying BA Gatwick/Malaga. I don't remember the precise delay but it was long. Then suddenly it was much less. A bit of research suggested that BA had "stolen" an incoming for our flight and that the flight our plane was supposed to operate was going to be operated on a later flight.
When I thought about it some more it occurred to me that by this manouvre both flights had avoided having to pay out EU261 compensation.
Anyone else had the same experience (which I suppose can only happen at home base)?