Stuck on SQ27 SIN-JFK for Over 25 Hours After Diversion to SWF
Absolutely unreal travel day. Our flight diverted from JFK to Stewart Airport (SWF) because of the weather situation in NYC. After landing around 7:30 PM, passengers remained stuck onboard for hours because SWF normally does not handle international arrivals.
What makes this even more frustrating is that CBP facilities were eventually set up at SWF, and at least one other diverted international flight was reportedly allowed to deplane. Singapore Airlines instead chose not to pursue that option and ultimately decided to wait for replacement pilots from NYC so the aircraft could continue to JFK. Passengers were left onboard for roughly five hours before a clear decision was made.
That also means even once we finally depart SWF, there is still another hour flight back to JFK before passengers can clear customs and actually leave the airport.
This was already after an 18-hour flight, meaning many of us will effectively spend 25+ hours trapped on this aircraft before even reaching the terminal. At this point it may be 2–3 AM before we finally arrive at JFK.
Minimal food, exhausted passengers, barely any updates, missed connections, and no hotel or compensation guidance so far. I understand weather causes diversions, but the operational handling of this situation has been unbelievably poor.