First Dreamliner experience........and we had to turn back!!

[superpang]

Coming fresh from the LAN lounge in Santiago....After flying from Melbourne my final leg to BA was the most anticipated as it was meant to be completed on a Dreamliner.

Unfortunately half way through the flight we had to turn back due to what the pilot described as rudder failure!! Sounds a bit extreme! The first time ever ive been on a flight that had to turn back.

Anyway all well and I am waiting for a replacement plane here in Santiago.

The plane itself was very nice...super quiet and I love how the windows tint, the lighting is great and the plane feels nice and big like a 777 and even the new 737-800's with the kind oval style over-head compartments.

It looks like they still have some teething issues, I wonder if it was serious but if it they are going to use these planes on the Santiago - Auckland route you might not want it to happen when you are in the middle of the ocean in the middle of nowhere.

 

[TomVexille]

Good to hear that you landed safely. But blaming the 787 for rudder failure is a tad extreme as that could happen to any aircraft.

 

[Joshua]

Looks like you arrived back at SCL about the scheduled arrival time. Interesting to see a few sites saying it arrived on time!

Obviously they're not common yet in Australia but lots of carriers have them now and flying long haul routes. IME crews still having a lot teething issues still and certainly happy to complain about them! Mostly electronics, I certainly wouldn't say they're going to fall out the sky.

Oh and I think the tinting is cough! Much prefer plastic shades or electronic blinds if they want to be fancy. Hope you arrive safe!

 

[Himeno]

I've had 2 787 flights. Same sector (SIN-HND) a year apart. The first time was delayed by a few hours by electrical problems and they weren't able to turn cabin power (including lights and IFE) on until after reaching FL100. 2nd time only had some ATC delays.

I'm not a fan of the windows.

 

[Pleb Status]

My only attempt so far to fly on the 787 was on BA LHR-EWR. Last minute sub to a 763 due to a mechanical issue so 0 for 1.

 

[Sprucegoose]

We forget the teething problems the 747 had! This is nothing..,