Thank you for the first hand account. I am just curious as to the obligation to follow the Sabbath. The events were out of your control so is the expectation you make every effort to conform given the circumstances thus the landing in Athens?
I am not Ben Chafetz, but yes, they should have made every effort to arrive early, changing flights (before inconveniencing the heck out of everyone) if necessary.
On the same chat groups every Jew is reminding each other to avoid Thursday night trips eastward to Israel in the winter (with the frequent delays and early sunsets)