Aviation Master

A British Airways pilot got into a heated exchange with an air traffic controller at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) after confusion over landing clearance.

The incident, caught on ATC audio and shared by VASAviation, shows the BA A350 crew checking in on final for Runway 06R: “Speedbird 9ZY heavy, established 06R.” After silence, the tower curtly replied: “Continue.” When the crew asked if they were cleared, the controller told them to “go back to arrival.”

The pilot pushed back, explaining approach had already transferred them. The controller refused to provide the correct frequency, escalating tensions until finally issuing a landing clearance. Once on the ground, the BA pilot requested a supervisor’s number, prompting more on-air criticism for “talking too long.”

ATC experts said the tower broke protocol by failing to use the callsign, while the pilot pressed too hard on frequency. Both sides drew criticism for unprofessional tone during a critical phase of flight.

It is the second time this year BA crews have clashed with controllers, after a similar dispute in San Francisco in June.

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