BA 747-400 at Luton?

[Buster the Bear]

From the Luton airport flight arrivals:
BA268 Los Angeles 15:57 16:00 Landed 16:00 That makes it a 747-400.
From the BAA web site:
14:55 BA268 LOS ANGELES DIVERTED
Rumored due to fuel/horrendous weather at Heathrow (thunderstorms)?

[bacardi walla]

LTNman pictures are appreciated if you can

[LTNman]

Originally Posted by bacardi walla

LTNman pictures are appreciated if you can

Got some on the camera. just give me a few minutes

[Global Pilot]

It's unusual to see a 747-400 at LTN but not uncommon. Recall a 747-200 (think it was Atlas Air) moving and engine for Britania down to Palma a while back.

[Buster the Bear]

I think that this could be the first -400 at Luton, but then again I am only a bear, what do I know?

[LTNman]

I would post a picture if I knew how to do it! I will read the FAQ.
I see the 747 was surrounded by fire trucks for some reason
update
Whats this all about [img]value[/img] what's a value?

It does say in my posting rules that I can't post an attachment so maybe I am stuffed

[Buster the Bear]

In order to post a picture, get it hosted first, then copy and paste this web address (of your hosted picture) between [img] and [/img].

A good place to host is: www.imageshack.us

[ILOVEMCO]

there was indeed a thunderstorm over or near heathrow today with aircraft having to hold before landing

[blackbox]

Lorraine (Chase) gonna love this!!!

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

Buster - you are correct, it is the first series 400 to visit Luton. Only 100's, 200's and 300's have visited before.

It's only the second BA 747 to visit. The first one was also on a weather diversion and had an angry Prince Andrew on board.

[LTNman]

had to crop it as it was over size but here it is http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/7835/1220gy.jpg

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/142/1200oo.jpg

Thanks Buster

[King Pong]

Originally Posted by OLNEY 1 BRAVO

Buster - you are correct, it is the first series 400 to visit Luton. Only 100's, 200's and 300's have visited before.
It's only the second BA 747 to visit. The first one was also on a weather diversion and had an angry Prince Andrew on board.

That's because LTN did not have a tow bar. I think they are having trouble finding one now.

[King Pong]

3 hours later and it would appear that the passengers are trapped on board. BA transmitting blind to servisair who don't reply that they are in desperate need of cars for the VIP passengers who are starting to get really angry.The strange thing is that servisair are having constant conversations with Britannia but when BA call servisair Luton there is a deafening silence.

Must be really frustrating for the VIP’s looking across at all those black cabs

The aircraft sat on the centre line for around 15 minutes before it parked nose in after it was confirmed there was a tow bar available. Now it can’t be found.

Guess it might be another 13 years before we see another BA 747.

[bacardi walla]

Ahhhhh good ol LTN, yet another 747 cock up Maybe next time, BA will go to STN when they need to divert away from LHR

Circusair strike again.........

[JIPPO]

My sister came in on this flight. Just received a call from her at 19h30 - they are still at Luton!!! The whole thing is very disorganised. They are waiting for a coach to Heathrow. She was booked on a through-ticket to Belfast - I thought it would have been more logical to take the Easy-flight from Luton to Belfast, but BA wont allow her even though she will miss the last flight to from Heathrow to Belfast which leaves in 10 minutes. (Typical BA-incompetence.) I wonder if they'll pay for her overnight stay at LHR.....? She is NOT a happy bunny!

[King Pong]

Originally Posted by bacardi walla

Ahhhhh good ol LTN, yet another 747 cock up Maybe next time, BA will go to STN when they need to divert away from LHR
Circusair strike again.........

Is a 747-400 tow bar different from other 747's which LTN handle. Servisair seem to have been caught with their pants down.

Don’t think the airport will be too happy if the aircraft night stops as it is taking up 2 valuable stands. Guess BA will send a tow bar up from Heathrow with another flight crew.

[bacardi walla]

Originally Posted by King Pong

Is a 747-400 tow bar different from other 747's. .

I'm not sure but if a handling agent says they have a 744 tow bar, they should actually have one.

Which hold was the a/c in prior to diverting to STN (sorry LTN)

Monumental and upward pointing springs to mind

[voyager65]

Thanks Jippo - just got a call from my brother who was on the same flight as a business-class passenger. He will also miss his connection as the whole situation is turning into a circus - they were stuck on the plane for more than 3 hours as the tow-truck could not get to the plane. As yet there is no talk of compensation for missing connections. He is hoping to change his return flight to a more competent airline. Any suggestions?

[jetsetwilly]

I wonder if the 747 will be hooked up and ready to go by 2345 or it might have to stay here tonight. It's taking up 2 parking spaces!!!
JSW.

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

Towbars

I believe this isn't the first time Servisair have claimed to have had a tow bar ... and have not! Buster's mates Boggy Pete and EGGW Relic have many stories they can tell in that department! A few years ago Fokker 100's used to be readily accepted on diversion .. but no towbar.

Other 747 arrivals have been planned well in advance so arrangements have been made for a 747 towbar to be at Luton.