22-hour flight delay allows UK passengers to enjoy New Year on the Mexican beach

#Cancun #Flightdelays #NewYear'sEve #Gatwick Flight delays can, at times, be enjoyable as passengers of a Thomson flight discovered much to their delight because, hit by a 22-hour delay from Cancun, Mexico, to Gatwick, the passengers celebrated New Year on the beach instead of in the air.
The scheduled departure of the flight from Cancun was 4.10pm local time on New Year's Eve and it was to fly overnight and land in London at 7.05 am on New Year's Day. However, instead if that, the passengers spent New Year's Eve in a hotel on Mexico's Caribbean coast. The problem apparently was the scheduling of cabin staff for the plane – it was delayed in Sweden which meant that the aircraft was left sitting on the runway.
Some passengers were shuttled to the plush Riu Caribe beach resort which is rated as 4T+ by the holiday company and when the tour guide informed about the 22 hour delay, it meant an extra day of holiday.
Thomson Airways has clarified that flight TOM049 from Cancun, Mexico to London Gatwick Airport was delayed on another route. Hence, the flight had to be delayed still further, due to mandatory crew rest restrictions. The airline provided customers with overnight accommodation and meals in a hotel in Cancun.