Travellers ‘abandoned’ after London flight diverted to Bermuda due to ‘smell of smoke in cockpit’

Bank holiday travellers facing a 20-hour wait on an airport floor in Bermuda say they have been “abandoned in the middle of the Atlantic” after their flight from Miami to London had to divert due to a possible mechanical issue. American Airlines has apologised after flight AA38 had to change course about three hours after taking off from Miami International Airport on Monday due to “a possible mechanical issue”, landing instead on the British island territory in the North Atlantic. The Boeing 777-300’s 303 passengers have since waited over 15 hours in LF Wade International Airport in St George’s, where they are scheduled to board a replacement flight to London Heathrow at 8pm local time – almost 20 hours after landing there. The PA news agency understands the flight was unable to continue due to the US FAA’s mandated crew rest requirements after maintenance teams had inspected the aircraft – and passengers are not allowed to leave the airport due to Bermuda’s Covid-19 requirements. According to passengers, it took almost 10 hours for them to be provided with food at the airport and are were just eight toilets available and no showers.<br/>