A flight to nowhere U-turned over the Atlantic when the airline realized it needed maintenance
A KLM flight U-turned over the Atlantic when the airline realized it needed maintenance.
The Airbus A330-300 was flying from Amsterdam to Toronto when the incident occurred.
The plane would have reached a "maintenance deadline" during the trip, KLM told Business Insider.
A KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Toronto took a flight to nowhere on Monday after it became apparent the aircraft was scheduled for maintenance.
Passengers on Flight KL691 were scheduled to depart 11.20 a.m. local time from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on Monday, but faced a first hurdle when the Airbus A330 intended for the flight had to be withdrawn from service.
A replacement plane was found, eventually taking off around two hours after its scheduled departure. The flight reached roughly halfway across the Atlantic Ocean before turning back and returning to Amsterdam, data from Flightradar24 shows.
KLM confirmed to Business Insider that the U-turn was caused by the aircraft reaching a "maintenance deadline."
"During flight KL691 from Amsterdam to Toronto, it was decided to return to Schiphol as a precaution after it became apparent during the flight that the replacement aircraft (PH-AKA) would reach its maintenance deadline," the airline said in a statement.
"The aircraft was fully airworthy at the time of departure. To prevent the license from expiring during the flight, it was decided to return to perform the maintenance in the Netherlands.
One person who said they were on the flight shared their experience on Reddit, alongside a photo of their in-flight screen.
"Literally mid-flight we got the announcement that the plane they got was not supposed to fly and needed big maintenance that was due today unable to perform in Toronto, so back to Amsterdam," the user wrote.
"Pilot and crew were very apologetic," they added.
Aircraft have strict maintenance schedules to ensure they are checked thoroughly and remain airworthy.
When aircraft experience in-flight issues or problems like the one encountered by flight KL691, it is often easier for airlines to return to their home bases rather than attempting to fix problems thousands of miles away.
This often leads to so-called flights to nowhere, where airliners turn back, often thousands of miles into their journey, to return home.
As well as making fixing issues easier, returning to a home base also makes it simpler to rebook passengers onto new flights, as was the case with KLM's flight to Toronto.
"Although all passengers were rebooked upon arrival, we naturally find it very unfortunate for the passengers who were affected by this," KLM said in its statement.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Why Airbus's huge deal with Saudi Arabia's new airline is a major win for the A350
Riyadh Air ordered 25 A350-1000s at the Paris Air Show, worth over $4 billion at list prices. Emirates criticized the type's engines, and Qatar Airways temporarily grounded its A350s. It's a big win for Airbus, as Saudi Arabia's new airline could have used Boeing's 777X instead. Airbus's enormous A350-1000 plane has attracted a lot of attention at this week's Paris Air Show. The star passenger jet of the flying display, many people stopped in their tracks to watch it twist and turn above Le Bourget Airport, while a Johann Strauss waltz played over the show's loudspeakers. But for Airbus, the real victory was Monday's order from Riyadh Air. Saudi Arabia's ambitious new airline ordered 25 A350-1000s, with options for up to 25 more. The prices weren't disclosed, but according to Ishka, an aviation data and advisory firm, one of these planes delivered this year would be worth around $172 million. That would make the deal worth over $4 billion, although planemakers typically give discounts for big deals with airlines. These enormous jets will play a vital role as Riyadh Air seeks to help turn the Saudi capital into a top tourist destination — a key part of the kingdom's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy. Riyadh Air, set to start flying later this year, is expected to operate a hub-and-spoke route model — connecting destinations around the world via its home base. This requires owning large-capacity planes for the most popular routes. Emirates operates similarly, hence its big bet on the double-decker Airbus A380. Riyadh Air kicked off its program with an order for up to 72 Boeing 787 jets, but tapped Airbus for its first narrow-body order of 60 A321neos. Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas previously told Business Insider its extra-wide-body planes would "almost certainly" include a first-class cabin, unlike the 787s. The A350-1000 can carry up to 410 passengers in a typical three-class layout and has a range of over 9,000 miles. It competes with Boeing's 777X, which has a wider fuselage and more modern technologies, but has been hampered by delays. While Boeing showed the plane at the last Paris Air Show in 2023, it wasn't displayed at Farnborough last year during the planemaker's safety crisis, nor this year due to ongoing flight tests. It was initially supposed to launch in 2020, but has since been postponed until 2026 as it awaits certification. However, the A350-1000 has also faced some challenges. It has a checkered history with Middle Eastern carriers, primarily due to issues from the hot and sandy climate in the region. This made headlines at the 2023 Dubai Air Show after Emirates boss Tim Clark slammed the plane's Rolls-Royce engines. In harsher environments, the engines require more frequent maintenance. Emirates instead placed a smaller order for the A350-900, which uses a different type of Rolls-Royce engine. Meanwhile, it is Boeing's biggest customer for the 777X, responsible for nearly half its 551 orders. Rolls-Royce has invested over $1 billion to improve the durability of its Trent engine family, which its president of civil aerospace referenced in its Riyadh Air announcement. Qatar Airways has also been unhappy with the A350 in the past, temporarily grounding its fleet. The type's launch customer sued Airbus in 2021, alleging that safety was compromised because cracked paint exposed the copper mesh, which protects the plane from lightning strikes. Airbus said the problem was only cosmetic and filed a countersuit before the dispute was settled in 2023. Now with a sizable order from Riyadh Air, it's clear the A350's reputation is improving with a new lease of life. Read the original article on Business Insider Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
Why Airbus's huge deal with Saudi Arabia's new airline is a major win for the A350
Airbus's enormous A350-1000 plane has attracted a lot of attention at this week's Paris Air Show. The star passenger jet of the flying display, many people stopped in their tracks to watch it twist and turn above Le Bourget Airport, while a Johann Strauss waltz played over the show's loudspeakers. But for Airbus, the real victory was Monday's order from Riyadh Air. Saudi Arabia's ambitious new airline ordered 25 A350-1000 s, with options for up to 25 more. The prices weren't disclosed, but according to Ishka, an aviation data and advisory firm, one of these planes delivered this year would be worth around $172 million. That would make the deal worth over $4 billion, although planemakers typically give discounts for big deals with airlines. These enormous jets will play a vital role as Riyadh Air seeks to help turn the Saudi capital into a top tourist destination — a key part of the kingdom's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy. Riyadh Air, set to start flying later this year, is expected to operate a hub-and-spoke route model — connecting destinations around the world via its home base. This requires owning large-capacity planes for the most popular routes. Emirates operates similarly, hence its big bet on the double-decker Airbus A380. Riyadh Air kicked off its program with an order for up to 72 Boeing 787 jets, but tapped Airbus for its first narrow-body order of 60 A321neos. Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas previously told Business Insider its extra-wide-body planes would "almost certainly" include a first-class cabin, unlike the 787s. The A350-1000 can carry up to 410 passengers in a typical three-class layout and has a range of over 9,000 miles. It competes with Boeing's 777X, which has a wider fuselage and more modern technologies, but has been hampered by delays. While Boeing showed the plane at the last Paris Air Show in 2023, it wasn't displayed at Farnborough last year during the planemaker's safety crisis, nor this year due to ongoing flight tests. It was initially supposed to launch in 2020, but has since been postponed until 2026 as it awaits certification. However, the A350-1000 has also faced some challenges. It has a checkered history with Middle Eastern carriers, primarily due to issues from the hot and sandy climate in the region. This made headlines at the 2023 Dubai Air Show after Emirates boss Tim Clark slammed the plane's Rolls-Royce engines. In harsher environments, the engines require more frequent maintenance. Emirates instead placed a smaller order for the A350-900, which uses a different type of Rolls-Royce engine. Meanwhile, it is Boeing's biggest customer for the 777X, responsible for nearly half its 551 orders. Rolls-Royce has invested over $1 billion to improve the durability of its Trent engine family, which its president of civil aerospace referenced in its Riyadh Air announcement. Qatar Airways has also been unhappy with the A350 in the past, temporarily grounding its fleet. The type's launch customer sued Airbus in 2021, alleging that safety was compromised because cracked paint exposed the copper mesh, which protects the plane from lightning strikes. Airbus said the problem was only cosmetic and filed a countersuit before the dispute was settled in 2023. Now with a sizable order from Riyadh Air, it's clear the A350's reputation is improving with a new lease of life.
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Dorian Destinations Announces Passport Profiles Interview Series, Kicking Off with the Ultimate Amsterdam Experience Featuring Stephan from All Aboard Stephan's Bike
Dorian Destinations launches Passport Profiles with an exclusive look at Amsterdam through the eyes of @AllAboardStephansBike. Awarded 'Best Travel Agency in Miami for 2025.' United States, June 20, 2025 -- Dorian Destinations Launches Passport Profiles Series, Exploring the Ultimate Amsterdam Experience with Influential Travel Creator Miami-based luxury travel agency and media brand, Dorian Destinations, is proud to unveil its new interview series, Passport Profiles. This series brings global travelers and influencers together, sharing their insights on how travel influences culture, identity, and personal growth. The inaugural episode takes listeners on a journey through Amsterdam with acclaimed creator Stephan from @AllAboardStephansBike, offering a unique exploration of the city and its emotional connections to those who visit. A Unique Perspective on Amsterdam's Emotional Journey In the debut episode of Passport Profiles, Dorian Destinations sits down with Stephan, a renowned Amsterdam-based creator, to explore the city from a truly personal and emotional perspective. Known for his signature biking tours, Stephan offers a unique blend of storytelling and intimate encounters, revealing the soul of Amsterdam through its people, landscapes, and experiences. 'I've always believed that travel is about more than just visiting a place—it's about creating emotional connections,' said Stephan. 'Amsterdam is rich with stories that reflect the dynamic interplay between personal history and cultural heritage. I'm excited to share this experience with Dorian Destinations' audience.' Listeners will gain valuable insights not only into the physical beauty of Amsterdam but also the deep emotional connections that tie travelers to the city. From cycling through its historic streets to understanding the impact of local culture on human emotions, this episode showcases the many layers of Amsterdam that make it a destination unlike any other. Award-Winning Excellence: Dorian Destinations Named Best Travel Agency in Miami for 2025 In tandem with the launch of Passport Profiles, Dorian Destinations celebrates being named the Best Travel Agency in Miami for 2025 by Best of Best Review. The award recognizes the agency's exceptional commitment to delivering immersive, culturally rich, and transformative travel experiences. Dorian Destinations' ability to blend personal connection with luxury travel continues to set it apart in the industry. 'We're honored to receive this recognition,' said Franco Interian, Co-Founder of Dorian Destinations. 'This award is a reflection of the hard work we've put into creating meaningful travel experiences, and the support of our amazing clients. Our mission has always been to offer more than just trips—we help our clients create stories, memories, and emotional connections with the world.' The Rise of Purpose-Driven Travel and Global Connections Dorian Destinations recognizes the growing demand for travel that goes beyond sightseeing, as more people seek experiences that connect them to new cultures, communities, and perspectives. The launch of Passport Profiles is part of the agency's ongoing efforts to serve the purpose-driven traveler, someone who values not only the destinations but the emotional and intellectual enrichment gained through travel. 'We see a new kind of traveler emerging,' said Shannon Interian, Co-Founder of Dorian Destinations. 'This traveler is no longer just looking to check off a list of destinations—they're looking for experiences that challenge their perceptions and deepen their understanding of the world.' As part of their expanded global focus, Dorian Destinations continues to curate personalized retreats and wellness journeys, offering bespoke travel experiences designed for a wide range of audiences, from creative teams to multi-generational families and business groups. These experiences are rooted in cultural storytelling and emotional connection, allowing guests to immerse themselves fully in each destination. Access Passport Profiles Across Leading Podcast Platforms The Passport Profiles series is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, offering listeners and travelers a unique opportunity to learn from the world's leading voices in travel, media, and culture. The debut episode, featuring Stephan from @AllAboardStephansBike, is now live and invites viewers to discover Amsterdam from a whole new perspective. Through Dorian Destinations' full-service travel planning and concierge offerings, clients can also book the exclusive experiences featured in Passport Profiles, bringing them closer to the authentic destinations discussed in each episode on YouTube. About Dorian Destinations Dorian Destinations is a Miami-based boutique luxury travel agency and media brand founded by Shannon and Franco Interian. Known for blending personalized travel design with cultural storytelling and inclusive service, the agency offers bespoke itineraries, retreats, and media content to clients seeking purposeful journeys worldwide. Dorian Destinations is the creator of The Dorian Destinations Podcast and the Passport Profiles interview series. Learn more at Media Contact Franco Interian Co-Founder, Dorian Destinations Email: [email protected] Business Line: 305-440-9200 Website Social Links: Customer Reviews: Google Reviews - Dorian Destinations Contact Info: Name: Franco Interian Email: Send Email Organization: Dorian Destinations Phone: 305-440-9200 Website: Release ID: 89162710 Should you identify any discrepancies, concerns, or inaccuracies in the content provided in this press release or require assistance with a press release takedown, we strongly urge you to notify us promptly by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our responsive team is committed to addressing your concerns within 8 hours by taking necessary actions to resolve identified issues diligently or guiding you through the necessary steps for removal. Our dedication lies in providing accurate and reliable information.
