Why did the plane go all the way to LAX rather than landing back at SFO? It clearly seemed to be considered serious since there were emergency vehicles by the runway as a precaution. Is it easier to divert to LAX rather than land back at SFO in this situation?
They were above-weight for an emergency landing at SFO. Also, with the loss of one tire, even if they were within weight for an emergency landing, the additional pressure on the remaining tires from the full fuel takes could have caused a catastrophic incident.
In other words, it was safer for the plane to continue to its destination, since the reduced weight from fuel consumption during the flight would make a landing safer and the remaining tires less likely to explode.
Plus a tire doesn’t affect the plane’s ability to fly so spending some extra time in the air isn’t dangerous. And it gives the pilots more time to assess the situation and plan.
It’s likely less disruptive to ATC at SFO too to not have them circling if they don’t have to.
LAX might be a better option for the airline, as it is a larger airport with several alternative flights towards Japan where passengers could be shuffled into.
Fuel dump or burn it off by circling. Going elsewhere would be inconvenient to passengers unless they had a replacement plane and/or crew in LAX which was likely. Unless you're Delta flight 89 and then you dump fuel over populated areas at low altitude.
