Originally Posted by
binman
It's fully automated process and when flights come into range, times will reflect "planned" integrations. At this stage it would be unwise to base any personal plans on such information.
At -24 hrs integrations will be changed manually by ops control to limit delays and improve stand and gate utilisation. Of course this may not be possible but in general long haul flights will be planned to depart on time, even if this means multiple changes and rolling issues towards flights at the end of the day.
On the day the operation it is dynamic and management of ops moves to T5 who control gates. They in turn will work closely with ops control( who have global view) to maximise punctuality and consequently customer service taking into account technical problems, rotational issues, weather restrictions, ATC problems, airport issues and all the other things that can and do #%€$¥## it up regularly.
I have lost count of how often my short haul flights have shown delays up to just about an hour before departure but are then scheduled to on time due aircraft charges.
Thanks for the detail explanation; very, very, useful, especially the T-24 change in automation.
Still, a big ^ to BA ops for posting that information instead of keeping it secret. That's where BA (and AA) shines in this respect; others (like UA) obviously track the same information internally but don't expose it.