I had EXACTLY that kind of diversion in the early-90s. A daylight SABENA from JNB, bouncing at FIH [Kinshasa] and on to BRU. We were almost on the 'doorstep' of Algeria when they closed their airspace without warning. We had to make a long westward trek before turning north to bounce at CMN [Casablanca] for fuel and very late in BRU, missed connections. Airline were good and put me and others into airport hotel. It must have cost them a ton of money. I was fortunate to be in C, so the extra time on board was not a problem. I recall the trip very well, I was upstairs on a 747-300. Service was poor, food average but the seat very comfortable. Apart from the squalling baby, which required my noise cancelling headphones at higher level. Of course, no mobile phones or cabin seat phones to warn my lady not to go to LHR. As it was a connection, there was no information as to why I was not on the flight and very late before I could phone her from the hotel.
Last edited by PAXboy; 25th September 2023 at 18:42.