Geez, seems like 3 experienced crews came to the similar decision. BA, AF, and AA. So do all the pilots from the U.K., France, and the U.S. stink or did it just happen that this day 3 lousy Captains with 6 wimpy FO's all happened to arrive at the same place at the same time? Or did circumstances have three different crews, from three different airlines, cultures, and countries, all came to a conclusion that the situation required? I don't know and neither do any of the posters.
Years ago landing in C. Amercia with two alternates(near and distant) due to bad weather. Fair amount of deviatating towards end of cruise and during descent due to weather(more than forecast/expected). On final to destination and it's being hit by a thunderstorm. Nearby alternate also has thunderstorm. Figured out gas to distant alternate, anticipated overburn for deviating, and diverting to the distant alternate, which has no nearby backup field, would be close to an emergency right now. It would be a committment with little room for error. It's decision time. Ask FE then FO what they think? They come up with what I thought was best - take all the gas for the distant alternate and hold between the destination and primary alternate. Probably have 2 hrs worth of holding gas now. Hold about 20 minutes, storm blows out, and we land with lots of gas.
If you only have to make tough decisions every 20 yrs you're lucky.