Originally Posted by
jeremyBA
Is he really that important ? There is a deputy pm and a whole government to sort out issues that may occur within 8-12 hours.
no doubt they could contact the airline on hf if push came to shove.
Since the current PM seems content to leave international diplomatic crises to his ministers for some days (and counting), a few hours out of touch in flight doesn't seem likely to cause him concern.
I'm sure the aircraft SATCOM could be pressed into service in case of a dire emergency, or a hand held satphone near the window might work OK (even if it breaches the letter of the rules "no transmitting devices in flight").