Flight time extended by 5 hours - compensation available?

Tijayfly

I figured it was due to the polar route being chosen, but I find it bizarre that they had predicted 9 hours when I booked the flight a few months ago - as JAL have been flying the polar route for a long time already.

Looking at Flightradar, I'm aware that the actual flight time is closer to 12h.

Flight number is BA4625 - here are the times from the change notification email:


In terms of change, I would probably request to swap to a flight from LHR as these take 14 hours also. My return flight is direct, but I chose the Finnair/JAL outward due to price and the shorter leg from Helsinki to Haneda.

I'll talk to BA and see if I can change to a more direct flight, thanks.

[Deleted User]

They don't go the polar route for that leg now. It crosses Russian territory.

They go either west over Canada and then down just outside Russian territory, or south under Russia, then turn again to avoid North Korea.

Looking in Flight Radar it's the former for your flights.

Direct from Heathrow the southern route is a bit faster, but only an hour or so.

Tijayfly

Minus the three hour flight from LHR to Helsinki + 5 hours in the airport at Helsinki...

[Deleted User]

Tijayfly said:

Minus the three hour flight from LHR to Helsinki + 5 hours in the airport at Helsinki...

Can you post the complete times for both legs? It looks like the leg between Helsinki and Haneda is now ~5 hours longer, which makes sense as they are going a longer distance and against the commonly prevailing winds. But it leaves a bit earlier too. What time do you get to Helsinki?

Again, ANA direct from Heathrow go south to Haneda, and then on the return they go the north east over Canada and Iceland to benefit from air currents.

Tijayfly

[Deleted User] said:

Tijayfly said:

Minus the three hour flight from LHR to Helsinki + 5 hours in the airport at Helsinki...

Can you post the complete times for both legs? It looks like the leg between Helsinki and Haneda is now ~5 hours longer, which makes sense as they are going a longer distance and against the commonly prevailing winds. But it leaves a bit earlier too. What time do you get to Helsinki?

Again, ANA direct from Heathrow go south to Haneda, and then on the return they go the north east over Canada and Iceland to benefit from air currents.

07:30 LHR - 12:20 Helsinki 
17:15 Helsinki - 14:20(+1) Haneda

All in local time

[Deleted User]

It's going to take nearly 5 hours to get to Helsinki? It should be a little under 3 hours.

The second leg seems about right for taking the longer route to avoid Russia.

eskbanker

[Deleted User] said:

It's going to take nearly 5 hours to get to Helsinki? It should be a little under 3 hours.

The second leg seems about right for taking the longer route to avoid Russia.

Finland is two hours ahead of the UK so it is just under three hours flying time!

Tijayfly said:
07:30 LHR - 12:20 Helsinki 

17:15 Helsinki - 14:20(+1) Haneda

All in local time

[Deleted User]

Well spotted!

Tijayfly

Yes, but there was a 5 hour layover in Helsinki... 12:20 arrival, 17:15 departure.

Just to provide some closure here, BA actually cancelled the Helsinki-Haneda leg, so I've claimed a full refund of the entire return journey and will re-book with ANA at a later date.

[Deleted User]

Out of interest, why did they cancel the flight?