As V-Ben has reported in Zambandit's VS 601 thread, VS200 on Wednesday was severely delayed en route. We were on this flight. We left LHR on time and the captain told us that a tropical storm was passing to the south of Hong Kong but that it should have passed by the time we arrived. However when we arrived in the HKG area, the storm had strengthened and become Typhoon Prapiroon. No aircraft had been able to land in HKG for the previous hour so we diverted to PVG, two hours flying time away. Fortunately, a crew was available at PVG to take us back to HKG and the plan was to be airborne again within the hour as it was reported that conditions were improving at HKG. In the event, it was decided to deplane at PVG which took some time and negotiation with the Chinese authorities. After four hours in a transit lounge, we took off again with the captain confident that we would get in to HKG, although he warned us that the final approach would be very bumpy.
And so it proved, and after around 10 minutes of severe turbulence, full power was applied and we went around. We then circled for a while and then tried again with unfortunately the same result: a second go-around. The captain reported that the conditions were well outside safe limits for the aircraft so back we went to PVG! After our five-hour round trip, we arrived back at PVG at around 5 am. This time, we were off the aircraft fairly quickly and taken through immigration, even though most of us did not have visas, and bussed downtown to the Hilton. Here we were given breakfast and lunch, and a room for each passenger, group or family. We had a couple of hours sleep and considered having a look at Shanghai but it was very hot and humid and the area didn’t look very inviting for a stroll, so we didn’t bother. At 2 pm, buses arrived and took us back to the airport where we did a normal checkin. We were travelling Upper so were given passes to the First Class lounge, which had drinks and snacks. Our estimated flight time was 6.30 pm but we did not board until 7.30 pm and then sat there until 10 pm when we eventually took off. There were obviously a few issues going on as the crew were clearly frustrated with the local VS ground staff and the authorities. So, eventually we landed at HKG, at around midnight, 31 hours late! The frustrations continued, however, for the poor people going on to SYD as their onward flight was cancelled and they were to spend the night in a hotel and take the following day’s flight.
The two crews were excellent, keeping us informed at all times. It was a situation out of VS’ control and we felt they did all they could for us. However, we shan’t mind if the rest of our flights on this RTW trip are less eventful! On the plus side, though, we had three UCS experiences for the price of one, and we visited an extra country on the way!
Luke and Sophie
And so it proved, and after around 10 minutes of severe turbulence, full power was applied and we went around. We then circled for a while and then tried again with unfortunately the same result: a second go-around. The captain reported that the conditions were well outside safe limits for the aircraft so back we went to PVG! After our five-hour round trip, we arrived back at PVG at around 5 am. This time, we were off the aircraft fairly quickly and taken through immigration, even though most of us did not have visas, and bussed downtown to the Hilton. Here we were given breakfast and lunch, and a room for each passenger, group or family. We had a couple of hours sleep and considered having a look at Shanghai but it was very hot and humid and the area didn’t look very inviting for a stroll, so we didn’t bother. At 2 pm, buses arrived and took us back to the airport where we did a normal checkin. We were travelling Upper so were given passes to the First Class lounge, which had drinks and snacks. Our estimated flight time was 6.30 pm but we did not board until 7.30 pm and then sat there until 10 pm when we eventually took off. There were obviously a few issues going on as the crew were clearly frustrated with the local VS ground staff and the authorities. So, eventually we landed at HKG, at around midnight, 31 hours late! The frustrations continued, however, for the poor people going on to SYD as their onward flight was cancelled and they were to spend the night in a hotel and take the following day’s flight.
The two crews were excellent, keeping us informed at all times. It was a situation out of VS’ control and we felt they did all they could for us. However, we shan’t mind if the rest of our flights on this RTW trip are less eventful! On the plus side, though, we had three UCS experiences for the price of one, and we visited an extra country on the way!
Luke and Sophie
