United flight 72 took off on time from Washington DC to Tel Aviv last night, but diverted to Dublin this morning after experiencing a shattered windshield while crossing the Atlantic.
The airline is sending a new plane and crew to Dublin, though the replacement flight won’t leave until 9am tomorrow, arriving into Tel Aviv at 4:08pm, some 2 hours before Shabbos begins.
I advised passengers on the flight that emailed me to book the nonstop El Al flight and try to get reimbursement from United or from their credit card, or to get United to book travel on another airline today to arrive in Israel with more time before Shabbos starts.
I reached out to United for comment, and they responded,
“Our team at Dublin Airport is providing assistance to customers of United flight 72 (Washington/Dulles-Tel Aviv) today, which diverted to Dublin to address a technical issue. The aircraft landed safely at 10:50 am local time. We are working on alternative arrangements for our customers to complete their journeys at the earliest opportunity.”
DansDeals reader Shmuel L. was on the flight and shares images from the experience:
Were you onboard the flight? Will you find another way to Tel Aviv or will you wait for United’s replacement flight tomorrow?
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49 Comments On "United Diverts Tel Aviv Bound Flight To Dublin After Windshield Shatters En-Route"
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I would advise people not to rely on getting reimbursed for their own flight without approval.
Even if this is covered by Israeli compensation laws (unclear), the amount of the new flight could exceed the compensation.
Of course, if the alternative is to either land 2 hours before shabbos or stay in Dublin, I guess there are no good options.
United has been able to accommodate just about everyone that expressed that they needed to be in israel more than 2 hours before shabbos
Why is potentially breaking Shabbos or spending one Shabbos by the Chabad in Dublin a hard choice of options?
The complication would be not having a continuing flight to TLV if you miss the United one they are setting up.
Olam HaBah is worth more than a missed connection. I’d choose the Shabbos observance option.
It’s those 2 options vs spending nearly $600 (if United doesn’t compensate) on the El Al flight that leaves tonight and arrives early Friday which is the hard choice
Keeping Shabbos or paying $600, tough choice…
Doubt this is covered under the Israeli Aviation law as it falls into the category of extraordinary circumstances. Trip delay insurance with a credit card might work. But I’m surprised United couldn’t get another plane out there more quickly.
I was on the flight. They said the next available plane would be coming Friday afternoon at 4:00 and would land in Tel Aviv at 11:00pm. Phone and WiFi service was very poor. When we landed I had a travel agent book us on Elal direct. She held those tickets temporarily. Then people were on the phone and video chat with United finding alternatives. Then they rebooked everyone on a 9:00am flight which gets in 2 hours before shabbos. They also gave vouchers for a hotel. So many people are finding various stopover flights through London, Zurich and Istanbul. United has tried to be accommodating. But their not having much presence in Dublin has made it a little more difficult.
They didn’t want to divert 6 hours back to EWR like they did a couple of weeks ago?
Unexpected Ireland Trip
It’s inconvenient and disappointing, but if someone truly cares about Shabbos, wouldn’t they remain in Ireland for Shabbos? It doesn’t seem like such a difficult concept to me. Alternatively, it’s a 1 hour flight to Manchester or London to spend Shabbos.
There’s also a direct El Al flight at 930pm arriving Friday at 5:10am which makes the most sense for someone who wants to spend Shabbos at their intended destination. There’s nothing uncaring about Shabbos with doing that
Zack, that flight is a great choice, agree with you. I feel it’s risky (and maybe uncaring) if someone takes a flight which lands 100 minutes before candle lighting because they don’t want to lose out on the leg of the trip. What do you think?
Dave, I agree with you, I was just pointing out that you seemed to miss the El Al option and were leaving it as a binary “risk chillul Shabbos or stay somewhere in Europe”.
If the option is either break Shabbat or remain in Ireland for Shabbat- hopefully with the help of Chabad or others- then yes, of course that’s true. The question is- should they book the ElAl flight that lands with plenty of time for Shabbat, even though they have no guarantee of compensation? Or wait it out in Ireland? That’s the tough decision.
Dan it would be a great post if you could breakdown compensation rights from all angles for this scenario I know that might be complicated but hey sometimes you want ideas for interesting posts!
+1
My friend landed in tlv about 1 hr before first days of sukkos (without bags) and made it to his hotel in Jerusalem 3 min b4 sunset
seems like a responsible plan
Jonny lol. That individual is stellar in all areas of shomrei Torah v’mitzvos. It reminds me of the individual bragging they have a shorter Tishabav because they took an East-bound flight.
My brother and sister inlaw were flying business class and said the whole windshield was shattered.
Thank you Hashem they landed safely and no one was hurt!
Agreed, thank G-d. Shattered windshield doesn’t sound great at all. Shout out to the pilots for being able to land safely.
Amen!
There’s basically no kosher option in Dublin. My friend was on the flight, spoke to the Chabad shaliach there and was told that they can’t possibly help such a large group of Yidden for shabbos.
I helped him get a Swissair flight out of there and he’s arriving in Israel this morning iyh
United was very helpful in accommodating everyone that they could
Did united rebook him on Swiss or did he pay for that himself. I booked a family thru turkey without contacting united as there wasn’t much time before the flight.
If people booked a roundtrip and then fly elal be careful that their return flight doesn’t get cancelled.
Just need to talk to United to let them know, won’t be an issue given the irrops.
Dan any interest in the future posting a primer about airline compensation for delays, aircraft issues, weather etc…..
I think to keep it more simple at least initially most people would be happy with a post fousing on usa domestic routes and routes from USA to Israel with stopovers in Europe or the middle east
why cant they get united to put them on another star alliance airline to get to tlv in time for shabbos. they did that for me about a month ago and they said they always have extra seats reserved.
For some people they did do just that but there was not enough seats for everyone to rebook on partner airlines.
I didn’t know there are so many frum Yidden in Washington DC…
While there is a not insignificant Jewish population in the DMV, most of the people on the IAD – TLV direct United flight live in Baltimore.
Interesting to see the positive in attitude when yidden on a flight from Washington to TLV is diverted. Somehow we haven’t heard anyone crying antisemitism and making huge scenes.
I’m sure a lot are from Baltimore but I don’t know about most… I would assume that the IAD-TLV flight has a lot of connections from all over the continent.
Baltimore?
There are Jews in Baltimore?
Is that a recent thing?
Will this have any potential effect on United flight on MS back to Wash DC? I am expecting bc to be on that flight scheduled for 12:20am
My husband was on that flight. He was able to get onto a flight that connected through Zurich with a 50 minute layover to arrive in Israel 3:30 a.m. Friday. Unfortunately the Dublin to Zurich was delayed and they almost missed the connection but luckily United held the flight to Tel Aviv for the 20 plus people who were waiting to get on.
My daughter flew to Tel Aviv recently with United on a direct flight out of Newark. The plane was delayed for three hours.
Are delays something that people should be compensated for? Or is it expected, normal.
The following is one of the emails I received
UA84 EWR-TLV 25APR
UA 84: Your flight to Tel Aviv is delayed because our maintenance team is servicing a lavatory on your plane. Right now, we’re expecting a 5:20pm departure. We apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience.
There is a specific amount of hours of delay (I think 6) travel insurance will compensate
For $270 I got to Israel at 3am on Friday via Turkey. Not fun but people made due.
What’s my compensation ask from United for everything?
Shkiya was not until 7:25pm
ua 84 that departed on may 10 made a emergency landing in madrid
I was on the flight as well. I took the hotel voucher, and during my wait on line, wait for the United coach bus from the airport to the hotel, and on the trip to the hotel; I was on the phone with Chase travel (for an hour and a half), because I purchased the tickets w Chase points. Chase Travel was able to book me on the Swiss Air flight 6:45pm to Zurich, and also the flight from Zurich to TLV. We arrived at the hotel around 1:30pm, I checked into the very nice hotel, which gave us food vouchers for meals at their their restaurant too. I told them that I had rebooked for a flight that will leave at 6:45PM. They said that they will order a taxi for me to pick me up at 4:00 which will be paid for by United. It worked out great; I took an hour nap and took a shower too…
QUESTION for DAN:
United is offering, via their portal: a $200 voucher (expires in 12 months) or 10000 United points (worth about $120).
Which one would you recommend to take? If I hold out and don’t accept either one, will they offer more?
Any one get more than $200 voucher?
UA 91 diverted to Rome emergency landing no hotel no food no lounge no vouchers 11 hrs in Rome
Another example of airline vs. smartphone
https://airinsight.com/another-example-of-airline-vs-smartphone/
Article based upon this diverted flight.