Flight Disruptions
British Airways BA707 diverted to Gatwick after delay of over 3 hours

British Airways BA707 diverted to Gatwick after delay of over 3 hours

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Checked by Alice Mariscotti-Wyatt

Last updated on October 22, 2026

Affected flights

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Affected flights

Affected airports

Affected airlines

Disruption overview

Passengers on British Airways BA707 from Larnaca International Airport landed at Gatwick Airport instead of Heathrow Airport after a technical fault held up departure by more than 3 hours. The service was scheduled to arrive on 19 October 2026, but the delay put it outside Heathrow's nighttime arrival window, and it reached Gatwick shortly after midnight. British Airways apologized and arranged onward transportation, leaving travelers with an additional journey after their delayed flight. Because the disruption began with a technical problem within the airline's control, affected passengers may qualify for compensation under EC 261 or UK 261, depending on their circumstances and final arrival delay.

Passengers affected by this flight disruption may be eligible for compensation of up to US$650 under passenger rights regulations.

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Disruption details

British Airways flight BA707 from Larnaca International Airport to London Heathrow Airport was diverted to Gatwick Airport after a technical problem delayed departure by more than 3 hours. The flight was due to reach Heathrow on 19 October 2026, but the delay pushed its expected arrival beyond the airport's nighttime operating window.

For passengers, this meant a lengthy wait in Cyprus followed by an arrival at a different airport shortly after midnight. If you were on board, your journey didn't end at the London airport you'd booked to fly into.

The technical issue was identified before boarding. It was fixed before passengers boarded the Airbus A320, but the time spent resolving it left the aircraft unable to reach Heathrow within its normal arrival hours.

The aircraft flew directly toward Gatwick. Heathrow's nighttime restrictions limit routine flights to reduce noise. Routine arrivals aren't permitted between 10:40 pm and 5:05 am, while routine departures aren't permitted between 10:50 pm and 6:00 am.

Some exceptional flights can receive permission to operate during those hours. However, a late-running service can't assume it'll be allowed to land after the normal operating window closes.

British Airways apologized and said it arranged onward transportation to help passengers continue their journeys after landing at Gatwick in West Sussex. The airline said its teams worked to get customers on their way as quickly as possible.

If you traveled on BA707, you may be entitled to compensation under EC 261, the EU's air passenger rights rules, or the UK's equivalent, UK 261. The flight departed from Cyprus for the United Kingdom, and the initial delay was caused by a technical problem within the airline's control.

Your eligibility depends on the circumstances of your journey, including how late you reached your final destination. A departure delay of more than 3 hours doesn't, on its own, confirm that compensation is owed.

You could be entitled to up to US$650 compensation. AirHelp's free flight checker can help you check whether you're eligible in just 2 minutes.

Know your rights

These are your air passenger rights

When your flight's disrupted, you may be entitled to various forms of care and compensation under EC 261 and other applicable laws.

Up to US$650 compensation

Passengers whose flights were canceled or delayed over 3 hours may be entitled to financial compensation ranging up to US$650 per person. Check your flight.

Rerouting or refund

If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. You may also get a full refund if you no longer wish to travel.

Care and assistance

Your airline must provide food and refreshments if your journey is delayed more than a few hours.

Accommodation

If you are away from home and your journey is delayed overnight, the airline must offer you accommodation and transportation to it.

Communication

Under EC 261 you are entitled to 2 phone calls or emails if your journey is delayed over 1 hour.

This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.

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Quick facts

Summary

Disruption

Delays

Cause

Other

Status

Past disruption

Compensation

Could be eligible for up to US$650 compensation

Flights affected

Airlines affected

British Airways

Airports affected

Larnaca International Airport, London Gatwick Airport, London Heathrow Airport

Cities affected

Larnaca, London, West Sussex

Countries affected

Cyprus, United Kingdom

Start date

2026-10-19

End date

2026-10-19

Checked by

Alice Mariscotti-Wyatt

Date updated

October 22, 2026

What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked

If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.

Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked.

Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.

Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.

Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.

Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.

Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.

If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.

Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.

Information on this page is AI generated, but always checked by a (human) passenger right expert.

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