The B737 when advised that he was too close to the preceeding B767 and could possibly expect delays increased from 450kts (or thereabouts) to 540kts (or thereabouts)
If the Virgin/Ozjet (
) 737 crew sped up of their own volition from 450 to 540 to try to beat the 767 and then said they couldn't take a 30kt speed reduction, they are being dickheads. If the 737 is anything like the thing I fly, from normal cruise you can slow down at least 20kts G/S, especially if they've already sped up by 90!
The controller should have fixed it all at 150nm-ish by asking everybody's DME/RNAV distance to the field. That would have confirmed the 737 was behind the 767 and that's the way it should have stayed.
Would a 30kt reduction at 150nm prior to descent being commenced be a huge problem?
No. Even a speed reduction after commencing descent is no big deal.
would the pilot prefer vectors for a 20nm final instead?
An initial slowdown would be better. Quieter. Saves fuel. Better for the environment!
If that doesn't work apply a bit of trackstretching later.