An Airbus A380 took a 7-hour flight to nowhere after U-turning over central Africa

Aug 11, 2026 05:48 PM - 1 hour ago 1

British Airways Airbus A380 Superjumbo rider aircraft, spotted flying connected last attack for landing connected London Heathrow Airport runway successful the United Kingdom.

British Airways passengers spent 7 hours connected an airplane only to extremity up backmost wherever they started.

Flight 54 departed Johannesburg past Saturday, bound for London, a travel that typically lasts astir 10-and-a-half hours. It took disconnected much than 5 hours down schedule, astatine 2:45 a.m. section time.

While it isn't clear really galore group were connected board, the formation was operated by an Airbus A380, the world's largest rider plane, pinch 469 seats successful BA's configuration.

The double-decker pitchy flew northbound for astir 2 hours earlier U-turning complete the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to information from Flightradar24.

It headed backmost towards Johannesburg, but entered a holding shape conscionable northbound of the city.

The quad-engine A380 would person been carrying immense amounts of substance for its lengthy journey, which the pilots would request to jettison to trim the airplane's weight and guarantee a safe landing.

Flight-tracking information shows it flew successful a circle for complete 2 hours earlier coming successful to land.

Online aviation enthusiasts picked up a matter connection sent via the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System, aliases ACARS, citing issues pinch the airplane's upwind radar — a cardinal information strategy truthful pilots tin debar storms.

"We're sorry for the inconvenience caused to customers aft their craft returned to Johannesburg owed to a method issue," a BA spokesperson said successful a connection to Business Insider.

"Following the aircraft's return, our teams provided overnight accommodation and support, and worked to minimise disruption," they added.

Pete Syme is an aviation newsman for Business Insider, based successful London.He writes astir each things related to the industry, specified as flight diversions, aviation safety, airline updates, travel tips, plane tours, and aviation leaders.Pete has appeared connected BBC News to talk a Heathrow Airport closure and connected Sky News to talk astir Boeing.Before joining Business Insider successful 2022, he graduated pinch an MA successful Newspaper Journalism from City, University of London. While getting his BA successful English from the University of Exeter, he was the award-winning lawman editor of the student newspaper, Exeposé.You tin get successful touch by emailing [email protected] or via Signal @syme.99.