I am currently in S. Africa, and the rumor is that the flight to Jnb from Newark has been canceled due to lack of fuel in Jnb. Apparently, the flight takes off, flies a couple hours, then turns back. This has happened several times recently.The safari co. that I am with is awaiting several delayed clients. Have not heard of any other airlines having this problem.

Thats not something I want fo hear. My sons and leave tomorrow for Bots from Newark.

I am a bit at a loss about this.

Why would the pilot take off when he knows there is not enough fuel to complete his trip?

Regulations stipulate that he must have enough fuel to his destination, and have extra for his alternate airport??

No surprise. United and Delta are the sole airlines flying direct to JNB from the US and I wouldn’t fly either of them.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I am a bit at a loss about this.

Why would the pilot take off when he knows there is not enough fuel to complete his trip?

Regulations stipulate that he must have enough fuel to his destination, and have extra for his alternate airport??

+1

Also most airlines today pre purchase fuel to be assured of an adequate supply and to fix the price in case of market fluctuations.

But who knows United has been on a crash dive to the bottom for several years now.

My flight out of Newark was cancelled last night due to faulty A/C. I was able to reroute by going Newark-Ohare-Frankfurt-JNB-Maun. We will lose a day, but at least will get there. Folks were told next available flight was the 24th.

I didn’t have any issues with United flying out on 5/30. I came back on Swiss through Zurich and then switched to United there as it was cheaper, and I was there longer (at ohare with an obscene layover now.)

Delta has seemingly priced themselves out of the market for business class over to Africa.