British Airways Sues Boston Airport Over Damaged Airbus A380 Superjumbo

(BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS) British Airways has settled a lawsuit over a 2022 incident at Boston Logan International Airport that badly damaged an Airbus A380-800 and canceled a return flight to London. The confidential deal ends a dispute over airport equipment that failed and left hundreds of travelers stuck.

Filed three years and one day after the event, the suit sought at least $293,000 for repair and disruption costs. In July 2025, British Airways told the court it reached an out-of-court settlement with airport operator Massport. As of August 10, 2025, the financial terms remain undisclosed.

What happened on the ramp

• The aircraft: a nine-and-a-half-year-old Airbus A380-800 (registration G-XLEL) delivered in June 2016, powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 970 engines.
• Date: June 8, 2022.
• Location: Boston Logan International Airport.

Sequence of events:
1. After arriving from London Heathrow, the A380 was parked at its gate.
2. The jetbridge power outlet was broken, so crews used a mobile ground power unit (GPU).
3. The GPU malfunctioned, causing severe electrical damage to multiple aircraft systems.
4. The return flight to London was canceled. British Airways rebooked stranded passengers and crew, towed the jet to a remote stand, shipped components to London for assessment and repair, then ferried the plane empty to London before returning it to service.

British Airways sued both Massport and the GPU manufacturer. Negotiations had failed before filing but moved quickly after the case began. The settlement is now final, with no public trial.

Why this matters to international travelers

When airport equipment fails, the effects go beyond repair bills:

• Travel disruption: Passengers can miss weddings, business meetings, and school dates.
• Immigration concerns: Some visitors worry about their permitted stay in the United States 🇺🇸 if delays stretch on.
• Operational cascade: According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, large disruptions trigger rebookings, hotel stays, and immigration timing questions—especially on long-haul routes.

Because the A380 is a high-capacity aircraft, a single canceled flight can require moving hundreds of passengers to other flights or carriers, sometimes routing via Canada 🇨🇦 or other hubs. That can push travel into the next day or longer when peak-season seats are scarce.

Immigration steps if you’re stranded by a canceled flight

Travel disruptions can overlap with immigration timelines. If a mass cancellation affects your travel, consider these steps:

• Check your I-94 record: Confirm your “admit until” date. Retrieve your electronic I-94 here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home.
• Keep proof: Save boarding passes, airline emails, and hotel receipts that show the delay’s cause. These records can help explain schedule changes.
• Get written confirmation: Ask British Airways staff and Boston Logan customer service for written confirmation of the delay and rebooking.
• If you need more time in the U.S.: Some nonimmigrants can request more time by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. See: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539. File before your I-94 expires and include evidence of the disruption.
• Lost a paper I-94? Apply to replace it with Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document: https://www.uscis.gov/i-102.
• Keep your address current: If your stay changes and you file anything, make sure you can receive mail about your case.
• Students and workers: Contact your school’s international office or your employer’s immigration counsel if delays affect report dates, CPT/OPT timing, or job starts.

Note: Rules differ by status and country of citizenship. Airline delays do not automatically grant extra time—always rely on your I-94 and official guidance.

Important: File any immigration applications before your I-94 expires. Keep documentation showing the disruption to support your case.

The operational lesson for airports and airlines

This case highlights the importance of reliable ground support:

• Maintenance matters: A broken jetbridge outlet plus a faulty GPU combined to damage a complex, high-voltage aircraft. Large aircraft need stable power to protect sensitive systems.
• Local capability: British Airways lacked deep maintenance resources at Boston, which slowed recovery, raised costs, and extended disruption.
• Liability clarity: The quick settlement after filing shows how important clear contracts and insurance are when equipment from multiple parties is involved.

Industry experts note that damage to a flagship aircraft on a trunk route carries both financial and reputational costs. The A380 had been central to rebuilding long-haul demand after pandemic storage; a 2022 setback hit right as demand returned.

What British Airways passengers experienced

On June 8, 2022, travelers bound for London Heathrow faced a canceled overnight flight with no quick replacement:

• British Airways rebooked people on later services and partner carriers.
• Families and business travelers scrambled for seats, sometimes routing through other cities.
• Crew were also affected due to duty time and rest limits, complicating recovery.
• The airline provided hotels, meals, and rebooking, but immigration timing became a real concern for some visitors near the end of their permitted stay.

A one-day slip is common; a multi-day delay during busy periods can be much harder to resolve.

What the settlement signals

• Dispute ended: The out-of-court agreement avoids a public trial and lengthy discovery.
• Terms confidential: Neither Massport nor British Airways has released the payout figure.
• Faster resolution after filing: Talks stalled before the suit but moved quickly once it was active.

No public policy change at Boston Logan has been announced as a direct result, but airports often review ground equipment contracts, inspection cycles, and backup plans after cases like this.

For carriers operating large aircraft

Recommended actions:

1. Audit power infrastructure at outstations, especially where A380s or other widebodies turn.
2. Require clear service-level agreements for mobile GPUs and trained staff.
3. Maintain contingency plans for remote maintenance and rapid parts movement.
4. Coordinate with airport risk teams on incident response and passenger communication.

If your travel plans were disrupted

• Ask the airline for a delay letter listing the cause and flight number.
• Keep all receipts and records for any later immigration filings.
• Track your I-94 date and explore Form I-539 options early if needed: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539.
• Replace a lost paper I-94 with Form I-102 if necessary: https://www.uscis.gov/i-102.
• For media or operational updates: Massport’s site is massport.com and British Airways’ site is britishairways.com.

Bottom line

A single equipment failure at Boston Logan cascaded into a major interruption: a canceled British Airways flight, complex repairs to an Airbus A380-800, and a lawsuit that ended in a confidential settlement. For travelers, the practical takeaway is simple: watch your I-94, keep proof, and act early if a delay puts your status at risk. For airports and airlines, reliable ground power and clear contracts are essential—not optional.

Actionable takeaways

• Check your I-94 here and note your “admit until” date: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
• Save airline communications, boarding passes, and hotel receipts tied to the delay
• If you need more time in the U.S., review and, if eligible, file Form I-539: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539
• Replace a lost paper I-94 with Form I-102 if needed: https://www.uscis.gov/i-102
• Ask British Airways for written confirmation of the cause and new itinerary
• If you’re a student or worker, alert your school or employer promptly about any schedule changes