American Airlines Boeing 787 Grounded in Amsterdam for 3 Days

An American Airlines Boeing 787 has been grounded at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport after experiencing technical issues with its flaps during a scheduled flight to Philadelphia International Airport.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was operating flight AA203 from Amsterdam to Philadelphia on January 7, 2025. Flight AA203 departed at 14:46 local time, slightly delayed from its scheduled 13:05 departure. 

However, shortly after takeoff, the crew reported issues with the flaps, a critical component for controlling the lift and drag of an aircraft during various phases of flight. 

Following the issue, the crew initially attempted to continue the journey but eventually decided to return to Amsterdam for safety reasons. 

Flight Details and Emergency Actions 

The crew of the Boeing 787 requested to level off at FL060 (6,000 feet) before climbing to FL130 (13,000 feet). However, as the situation persisted, they eventually decided to return to Amsterdam. 

The aircraft performed a controlled turn over the North Sea to dump fuel, a standard procedure to reduce landing weight, before safely touching down at Schiphol Airport. 

The landing was reportedly conducted at a higher-than-normal speed due to the flap issues. While the flight was initially rescheduled for the following day, it was canceled again after maintenance teams identified a hydraulics problem during their inspections. 

Passenger Impact and Airline Response 

Passengers on flight AA203 faced significant disruptions due to the extended grounding of the aircraft. Many were rebooked on alternate flights, while others were accommodated in hotels near the airport. 

American Airlines has yet to provide an official statement regarding the incident, but safety experts have noted that flap malfunctions, while uncommon, require immediate attention to prevent further complications. 

The Aircraft 

The grounded aircraft, with registration N819AN, is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner delivered to American Airlines in April 2017. At 7.8 years old, it has accumulated over 28,000 flight hours across 4,094 flight cycles. 

The Dreamliner features a four-class cabin configuration, accommodating 234 passengers: 

• 138 in Economy 
• 48 in Economy Plus 
• 28 in Premium Economy 
• 20 in Business Class 

American Airlines operates a diverse fleet, with the Dreamliner serving as a cornerstone of its long-haul international operations. The airline currently operates 37 Boeing 787-8s and 22 787-9s. 

As of January 10, 2025, the aircraft involved remains grounded at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for continued repairs and inspections.

Please join our Telegram Channel for the latest aviation updates.