The Boeing 777 takes off from Suvarnabhumi Airport on time. The Airfrance flight in direction Paris runs smoothly and calmly. But then, after about 9 hours of covered distance, an announcement from the captain  “we have to land in Vienna unexpectedly because of a technical problem”. Some passengers already seem to get angry because they are now likely to miss their connecting flight in Paris. But, safety first. After landing in Vienna we are asked not to leave the aircraft, but are allowed to use our cell phones.
Actually, we are asked to turn on our cell phones, because Air France Customer Service would send each one a text message with his individual re-booking notes for the onward flight. But these messages never reach the passengers.
After an hour and a half waiting in the plane, the flight finally continues, many still hoping to catch their connecting flight in Paris. Immediately after take off, the second meal of the flight is finally served. While most of the passengers are already eating, another message from the captain comes through.
We will be landing in Munich shortly, he says without any further explanation. Another unexpected stopover!
Suddenly everything gets very hectic on board. Another message, this time from the head-steward “everything must go very fast now”, and as the crew does not have time to collect the food trays again we are asked to “please quickly put your tray on the floor under your seat, buckle up and put the seat-back in the upright position”.
I look around and see many frightened faces, some people loudly demand an explanation, others sit scared in their seats, chalk-white, some with expression of panic in their faces, waiting of what might happen next. Others praying. But also many seem unconcerned.
The descent is faster than normal, it shakes heavily. Looking through a window I see from afar the flashing blue lights of the fire brigade on the runway. OK, this really seems to be a serious emergency. The commands of the head-steward also sound a lot more nervous. Behind me sits a guy who seems stricken by total panic, “it’s over, we’ll crash and go up in flames,” he says loudly, in a quivering voice.
Fear rises and many scream confusedly through the cabin.
I try to capture the atmosphere with the voice recorder of my mobile phone.
Finally the landing, a big crash and we are all dead, I write this post from the hereafter!
No, serious, everything goes well and later I learn that a defective fuel line led to this emergency landing.
Apparently it was pretty serious.
It’s already midnight. Everybody is off the plain and in the arrival gate at the Airport Munich. Some manage to get on the last plane to Paris, but there is not enough space for everybody. Chaos at the counter, all are waiting for Hotel vouchers, but Air France has no official office here and therefore no staff attending the passengers. Only two airport employees who are totally overwhelmed try to help. This can take hours. It is pointless to wait here. Independently and without waiting for my voucher, I take a Cab to a nearby Hotel.
The next day a direct flight takes me to Zürich in a Swiss Airways plane.
Months later, after several email exchanges with Air France, I get back around 700 €.  This is about what I paid for the return trip to Bangkok. The Hotel and the flight to Zürich of course didn’t cost me anything.