A British Airways flight to SFO is returning to London after 4 hours in the air.
British Airways flight BA285 departed London Heathrow Airport on time at 11:43 GMT for a 10-hour flight to San Francisco.
The Airbus A380 (registration G-XLEK) departed runway 27R and climbed to 38,000 feet towards Scotland but started to circle at FL370 then FL390 during more than one hour.
The crew decided to return to Heathrow airport without declaring an emergency. The airline is confirming the coming landing back at London with a new departure at 16:45 GMT but that will be delayed.
According to our sources, the aircraft dumped/burned fuel before returning to issue with communication system.
British Airways’ A380 operations have been dogged by maintenance and supply‑chain headaches this year. In an October briefing, BA’s chief technical officer described repeated delays and failures by contractors to deliver on time—so severe that some engines weren’t available when promised, forcing aircraft to remain grounded or engines to be kept on wing longer than planned.
UPDATE 15:25 GMT
The A380 is circling at 8,000 feet north of Heathrow.
UPDATE 15:36 GMT
The A380 is out of holding pattern.
UPDATE 15:57 GMT
On final approach to runway 27R.
UPDATE 16:02 GMT
Touch down 4 hours and 20 minutes after departure.
UPDATE 16:09 GMT
Arrived at gate C64 at terminal 5.
UPDATE 16:12 GMT
British Airways is now warning a new departure time will be announced later.
UPDATE 17:00 GMT
The flight has been cancelled.
