There's some interesting chatter on the BA thread, including some stuff from a chap who seems to know what he is taking about:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...r-ukraine.html


It appears that British Airways, among other airlines, took seriously advice received from security services and ICAO. BA overflights have avoided the area entirely for some months.

On the other hand, Lufthansa assessed the security information differently - presumably when this was weighed against the operational penalties and costs involved.


Illustrative graphics in this NY Times link:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...mh17.html?_r=0