×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Sunday
31
May 2026
weather symbol
Athens 22°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

Engine failure on London to Athens British Airways plane

Passengers go through long ordeal

Newsroom September 15 08:18

Δείτε περισσότερα άρθρα μας στα αποτελέσματα αναζήτησης

Add Protothema.gr on Google

British Airways passengers suffered a nightmare flight from London to Athens, which ended up taking 33 hours and four planes.
Passengers who were caught up in the ordeal which began on Tuesday last week.
The flight time from London to Athens is less than four hours, but this journey lasted eight times longer.
A faulty cockpit warning light caused the first flight, due to depart at 1.15pm, to be cancelled at Heathrow.
But that was just the first in a long line of problems for passengers.
The second plane couldn’t take off at its scheduled time of 5pm because cabin crew had exceeded their working hours.
Passenger Geoff Lye said the pilot told them it was “the most embarrassing PA announcement” he had made.
After an hour on the plane due to “security issues”, passengers were allowed to disembark.
BA gave them vouchers for a night’s stay in London, before the travellers returned the next day to board another plane.
Mr Lye told the Evening Standard: “We just took off and there was a bang and it was the engine next to me. There was this huge noise and a judder, and then there were about six more bangs. It was one bang after another.
“I’m an atheist but even I was praying. Our hearts were racing. Passengers behind me said they could see flames kicking out from the engine.”
The pilots shut down the right engine and turned back to Heathrow.
Later that night at 7.40pm on Wednesday, the fourth and final plane took off bound for its destination.
Passengers finally arrived in Athens early Thursday morning.
Mr Lye, a pensioner, said he had been loyally flying BA for nearly 40 years but will now avoid the airline.
He added: “There was no communication and it was unbelievable they could get so much wrong.”
BA confirmed there were four planes involved in the two-day ordeal.

source: express.co.uk

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#athens#British Airways#flight#ordeal#problem
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

PSG crowned European champions again, beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties

May 30, 2026

Macron on Paris winning the Champions League: France is proud, a new star shines over Paris

May 30, 2026

62 year old woman arrested for fire in Aegina

May 30, 2026

WHO recommendations on treatments and vaccine candidates for Ebola

May 30, 2026

Missile that allegedly downed US F-15 over Iran was Chinese-made, NBC reports

May 30, 2026

Hegseth lectures Europeans: You opened your borders wide, hollowed out your armies and ignored defense spending calls

May 30, 2026

Minor linked to seven electric scooter thefts in Rethymno

May 30, 2026

Attica beaches packed as those staying in Athens seek a refreshing escape over the Holy Spirit long weekend

May 30, 2026
All News

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

April 10, 2026

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

April 10, 2026

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

April 10, 2026

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

April 10, 2026

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

April 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα