Creative Solutions for BA 787 Window Glitch
When one conjures up the image of a flying leisure pod, the Boeing 787 usually emerges majestically from the horizon, renowned for its dimmable windows. The novelty has its perks, but personally, I find them a little dystopian. Sure, they let the crew manipulate your window like some omnipotent sky warden, and they never quite block out daylight completely. But here’s another quirky reason to give them the side-eye, inspired by a curious episode aboard a British Airways flight.
Dreamliner Dimming Debacle at 30,000 Feet
Passengers took to the digital world, venting in the British Airways Complaints Advice Facebook group—because, of course, there’s a Facebook group dedicated to that—to recount a taxing 14-hour trek from Tokyo to London. And what a journey it was, especially for one user and his significant other, wedged in premium economy.
“The windows on our side of the plane? A one-way ticket to a perpetual sunny day. And not in a good way. Imagine sitting there, daylight assaulting your senses for hours while the windows on the other side were snugly dimmed. Kudos to the crew though; they improvised with what they had, using paper trays and tape to attempt sealing off the light. It was a tad slapstick, needing constant re-application, but they even roped in a fellow passenger for some hands-on help. Quite an endeavor with limited tools, I’d say. But for a premium economy experience? It felt more like a DIY flight.”
“Seeing as I’d been saving this voucher for a special day, feels a bit squandered, you know?”
The Call for Compensation
You have to chuckle a bit because at the heart of it, the post is essentially asking, “So, will British Airways cough up a little something for our troubles?” And you know, they probably should. When you pony up for a flight where even Mordor’s light goes unmuffled, a token of goodwill doesn’t sound far-fetched. Avios points, perhaps?
The cherry on top is the timing—an entire marathon in the sky, encased in daylight. But credits where due, the crew did try to extinguish unwanted rays with what could only be described as an avant-garde artistic performance. Would have loved to see more proactive gestures from the airline, but then again, this IS British Airways we’re talking about.
On a side note, it’s amusing how there’s a whole social media group dedicated to airing British Airways grievances. Even stranger, amidst the chorus of complaints, you’ll find apologists who celebrate survival as the highest goal of aerial travel. Ah, the internet at its quirkiest.
Final Thoughts
A minor malfunction on a Boeing 787 unraveled on one of British Airways’ epic daylight voyages, leaving one side of the aircraft drenched in sunlight. However, in true A-Team fashion, the crew and ground staff rallied with an unconventional yet noble attempt—sticking paper liner and emergency cards on windows, and taping them up for good measure.
Your thoughts on this bright yet bothersome glitch?
If the saga of the window dimmer has you considering a different kind of adventure, think snowy hills and alpine air. Check out the Val Seny ski resort for a different kind of escape altogether. You’re guaranteed to find experiences more visually balanced than an aerial sauna at 30,000 feet!