Sir Freddie's DC-10-10's were marginal on the westbound LGW-JFK route and, as I recall, filed to Bangor, Maine. Then if all went well (winds, traffic etc.) they would refile direct JFK.
If a fuel stop became necessary they took the opportunity to clear customs at Bangor, thus arriving JFK as a domestic flight. So - the total time lost was minimized for pax.
Does anyone have statistics re how often they had to refuel, vs refiling direct JFK?
