United Airlines flight 875 from San Francisco to Tokyo Haneda spent three a little over three hours with passengers traveling exactly nowhere on Monday. About 20 minutes after departure, water began leaking from the ceiling near the rear galley of the aircraft.
Credit: FlightAware
As one passenger onboard the aircraft put it, “Thinking something burst.” Since it was near a lavatory they’re lucky because the thing that burst could have been worse! The passenger nearest the flood appears remarkably unbothered.
Other than a couple of smoke inside the aircraft incidents a decade ago, and an engine compressor stall a year ago, the 28-year old Boeing 777-200 registration N791UA delivered to United in August 1997 has a pretty clean record.
At least they arrived 8 hours 44 minutes early to SFO, according to FlightAware… /s
You know what would be swell? A passenger rights regulation like EU/UK 261 or Canada’s APPR, which would provide compensation to passengers in addition to refunds, food, accomodations, if such an incident were deemed to be in the airlines’ control. Instead, these poor passengers basically can accept a refund or the next available flight, and they’re on the hook for their own losses and the inconveniences associated. Sure, some may have travel insurance, but many policies restrict coverage, requiring 50% of the trip to be affected or up to 72 hours of delays before any claims. We deserve better.
Lesson learned, don’t fly a US carrier to Asia.
New way for UA to reduce water runs in the cabin unlocked.
Is that a 777-200er instead of a regular 200?
It looks like the problem was fixed or an alternate aircraft was used because FlightAware reports that the airplane is taxiing for takeoff. It is going to be over seven hours late. I hope that people got at least something for food. I would not take United over the Pacific unless the situation was dire.
Looking at N206UA on flightradar24, the airplane now flying to HND, if another airplane is not inserted in the schedule, flights will be late for the next several days. Flight radar has N206UA going to IAD from HND and then to CDG before going to EWR, where there is enough time in the schedule to absorb the late flight to HND. Of course, maintenance may be scheduled at EWR which would make for additional problems.
@jns — As Gary pointed out, this 772 is nearly 30 years old. For long-haul, I’d certainly prefer a newer 787, if it has to be United. Even so, I’ve dealt with significant delays and cancellations on their EWR-JNB route, which is with 787 and scheduled at 14-16 hours on average. It’s not fun when United agents tell you that the next available seats are about a week later, and that they won’t consider Star Alliance partners as alternatives, but they’ll happily downgrade you from Business to Economy with only a nominal refund. (At that point, it just feels like fraud.)
Really? This is chump change. Stuff happens even in your own home. There are some things we simply must accept without drama..
It looks like N791UA was swapped out to N206UA, a slightly younger airplane. Much of United’s fleet of 777s are 10 wide in coach so that is a no go for me. Narrow seats in coach are also why I have never booked a flight on a B787. Fortunately, there are better airlines across the Pacific that fly with wider coach seats for more reasonable prices and have better cabin crews and food.
@jns — You must be referring to Delta, or one of the East Asian carriers, like JAL, ANA, Korean, Singapore, EVA, etc.
@jns United 777 had only 9 across when they first put them into service. I can’t remember when they changed it. They were 2-5-2.
I was not referring to Delta. I’ve taken a few domestic flights on Delta and was never impressed. I am currently set to fly on Asiana again upstairs coach on an A380. It has became my usual cross Pacific airline after Covid-19. Before Covid-19, my usual one for a decade was EVA. Others that I have flown include Korean, Singapore, Thai, Air China, Northwest, Canadian International and Canadian Pacific. I did one leg from NRT to LAX on United decades ago when my Northwest flight was diverted to Hong Kong due to a medical emergency and got into NRT too late to catch the NW flight to LAX.
@jns — Uh oh. I hope Tim Dunn and Matt didn’t see this (they’re Delta fans). Delta has treated me well, though I wouldn’t say any US carrier is better than many of the East Asian carriers, but they’re trying with products like DeltaOne Suites and lounges in business class.
Haven’t had the chance to try Asiana yet. Must be nice on the a380. I’m in NYC, and I believe they operate their a350 from JFK.
I wish that Thai still flew to the USA—they used to fly to JFK/LAX, and had seen ‘talk’ of their return in 2025, if they obtain the requisite safety clearance. I’m sure with all the excitement over that new season of The White Lotus, that more Americans may want to visit Thailand (unless the show spooks them out). Bah!
This frame just came back to SFO from VCV. Appears that it spent several months there – likely for maintenance.
Scheduled to be back in service April 2