V-Flyer

Apologies for the brevity; about to board flight to HKG. We were on the VS250 to PVG today. About 2.5 hourd into the flight pilot announced a "technical issue" with the plane. We had to turn around and return to LHR. All pretty disconcerting, but crew very efficient. We're now booked on the HKG flight with a 3 hour layover before a flight on Dragon Air to PVG. Originally VS pushed to put us on the VS250 tomorrow, but that would have made us very late, so I asked for the connection and they agreed. It wasn't super simple so I'll fill you in on our return next week.

They are being very cagey about what part failed, but another PAX was told that going back to LHR was the only safe option. Very scary. Oh, and did I mention that I'm a nervous flyer?? Full details when we get home. Our travel time will total about 36 hours by the time we reach PVG.

Be safe!

Thanks for the update and pleased all worked out for you. Safe travels.

I've heard it was a cracked windshield and only a minor issue but returned purely as a precaution. But not sure if that is true. Keep us posted as you travel across the world!

Jon

AVHerald says cracked wind shield too.

http://avherald.com/h?article=4862623a&opt=0

Horrid experience spacedog, way too long a total journey time, stay safe and hope the rest of your trip is good.

Thanks, all. We're currently in HKG and are being treated very shoddily indeed. It's 21 hours since our first flight took off and we have two hours until our connecting flight. The one ray of sunshine was an excellent member of CC on the HKG flight who deserves a medal.

spacedog wrote:We're currently in HKG and are being treated very shoddily indeed.

Oh dear, how so?

Has this affected your decision on flying direct to Seuol later in the year. Non stop always better. The issue with the aircraft was a cracked windshield. It looks like you went back to LHR because they had a spare there where as a local diversion ie near where you were when you turned around would have caused even more delays with staffing and parts issues

G-VGAS, which operated the aborted VS250 yesterday, is on the VS601 to JNB tonight. Should have departed at 2105 but a friend who's on it says they've returned to the stand having taxied due to a windshield problem.

Update - took off just after 2250. Let's hope they've fixed it now!