Originally Posted by
florens
I must have been really lucky, since I rarely encountered a holding pattern into LHR, but often merely an orbit (360° turn) and then into the arrival transition. The only holding patterns I remember were once during IRROPS and one during the runway switch at 15h00.
I will admit that the length of holding has reduced, particularly due to smarter ATC techniques that do not allow (particularly SH) flights to depart to reduce holding above London. But, the number of times there is a hold I do not believe has reduced. Thankfully gone are the days that holding for 1+hr (in my experience) but it doesn't mean the holding has been eradicated.
I even had a hold at ZRH two weeks ago - I was not impressed since I missed the train I wanted to be on and had to wait 10 mins on platform 3/4
