Air Canada flight stayed in air for about 7 years due to bad weather

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An Air Canada flight stayed in the air for nearly seven hours and was brought back to Toronto after “several” landing attempts.

Earlier this week, passengers onboard the flight bound for St. John had to come back to Toronto.

Air Canada confirmed to CTV News that flight AC698 was on its way to Atlantic Canada on Feb. 5 when the pilot encountered “crosswinds” near the airport. It was eventually decided to move the flight around.

Flight AC698 departed from Toronto at 9:43 p.m., heading for a destination that is usually reached in just over three hours, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware.com.

The flight, instead of completing its usual duration, remained airborne for six hours and 37 minutes, ultimately returning to Toronto. This extended flight time involved several attempts to land at St. John's International Airport, as indicated by its flight path which included multiple loops around the airport.

In an email sent to the news outlet, the Air Canada spokesperson said that the decision to turn the flight around was based on several factors including the safety of passengers. 

As per report, the spokesperson said severe winter weather in Atlantic Canada made it difficult for the flight to land.

Air Canada confirmed the pilot's decision to return to Toronto was prudent, taking into account the routine anticipation of weather-related changes that warrant additional fuel for such flights. 

The airline reportedly also noted that for passengers, particularly those residing in Toronto, the return to Pearson airport was deemed preferable, given the challenges of securing overnight accommodations.