Flight cancelled part way through journey

[Grounded2022]

On our way back from long haul hols with one of the main airlines. The flight stopped at another destination to pick up other passengers. The plane had developed a technical fault, and after several hours of being on board with no food etc. they announced they were cancelling the flight and disembarked all the customers.

The hotel used for the families on the plane has no food at all, none to buy either.

Any advice from those who have been in a similar situation?

I would not want to be on a plane that may not be technically sound. Our journey started almost 18 hours ago, and we are one hour away from our original destination.

Well they aren't going to fly a plane that isn't technically sound, they will either fix it or bring in an alterative aircraft or cancel the flight altogether until it's fixed. If the hotel has no food look for a local shop or food delivery service. Keep your receipts. Have they actually cancelled your flight or just delayed it? The airline will normally make alternative arrangements for you. Check on the airline website that your contact details are up to date, email and mobile phone.

What's the advice from the airline?

Speak to your travel insurers, they may cover you getting home by other means if that's possible depending where you are.

Is there another option - train / hire a car
Etc?

Was it the left phalange or was the phalange missing altogether?

Get on the internet & book another flight/train/car hire. Don't wait for your airline to sort it out, it will be quicker just to organise yourself.

Are you actually one hour from home? I would be catching a train and sending the bill to the airline

Pilot won’t take off if he’s not happy with the plane they’re not going to willing kill themselves.

or you could listens to black box down podcasts and look at why they crash.

but ultimately you’ve very little to worry about.

food issue is shit but not of the businesses involved where expecting you. So you need a bit of give and take.

But if you do that you’re not likely to get that money back. The airline is has to offer solutions

This happened to me, many years ago.
They flew the spare part in on the next plane, fixed it, and we took of 23 hours after scheduled.
That said, we did have food at the hotel we were put up in.
It was VERY confusing at the airport the night we actually flew: AB123 30 Feb departed gate 5 at 22.30. AB123 31 Feb departed gate 10 at 23:30. Everyone turned up at gate 5, and golf the queue got turned away!

Have you got your luggage? How easy would it be to get home? eg are you in London, flying to Birmingham, or Paris flying to London? The first I'd just go home. The second I'd wait it out.

OP says one hour from original destination.

as you have a hotel, I'd stay put. Hopefully the food situation is sorted. I really feel for you.

Keep all the receipts for any food/drink etc you have to buy, and anything else you need because you will need it for any future claim.

Ok, so, where are you?
Are you in a hotel?
Can you order food to be delivered?
Can you get a taxi/walk to a shop?
I can’t imagine you are in the depths of the Amazon, I know sometimes these tech situations can be frustrating and it’s easy to feel helpless, but come on, you’re a working age adult, use some practical common sense and help yourself a bit.

But also they have been travelling 18 hours.
Confirmation about distance home would help with suggestions.

THERE IS NO PHALANGE!!!

They got off the plane.

I think the OP might be somewhere like the Caribbean - there are planes doing London-Barbados-St Lucia for example, and it's not as easy as just servicing the plane when you're that far away from a base. BA flies to that area often but it's possible that the spare parts might have to be flown in from London the following day, or from somewhere like Miami.

No food in the hotel is bad.

If you have good travel insurance though, you should get some decent compensation for the delay mid-travel. I know mine pays something like 100 per 12 hours. Check your policy.

We are still an 8 hour flight from home.

Just had a call from reception saying the airline has set up a food stand in the lobby so that’s something.

I feel for others e.g. those needing special assistance, or had become physically unwell during the experience. One person checking in all the families at one hotel meant even though people were being reasonably courteous to others. At the moment. The plan at the moment is they are putting on a flight tonight, another aircraft being flown in today, so looks like there is a solution.

Thank you for the replies so far, and constructive comments even small things like not assuming it’s the same departure gate are helpful.

Will definitely look into what our insurance policy will also do to either assist or compensate for the situation.

@GrandSlamFinalee yes, very similar to what you outline. The airline schedule from this destination is twice a week. It was a fairly full flight with about 300 people onboard.

Sounds like the sort of situation @GrandSlamFinalee has mentioned...the aircraft has gone unserviceable after what's known as a shuttle sector prior to embarking on a longer sector back to the UK..

I'm afraid it's a case of crap happens, it really can't be helped, there's no quick fix but you hope for support etc at any hotel the airline puts you up in.

@notimagain agree. Currently waiting our new flight so hopefully will be on our way soon.

Thanks

Call the airline and ask them to arrange urgent delivery of takeaway food and drinks for x people.

We are literally awaiting the flight to board and they have just announced the new flight is delayed due to staff safety checks!!!!!

They have already told us no hot food will be provided on this long haul journey due to the practical logistics of not being able to source it in the location we are in (not a main hub). Not a major issue as people are caring less about this as clearly we’re more interested in getting home. Getting comfy for what is looking like another long night.