Flying on Christmas Day
Apr 26, 2018, 6:30 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: North of Watford Gap
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 602
We're flying on Christmas Day - BA15 to Sydney in J - and wondered if anything different happens both in the air and at the airport so we can plan the rest of the day. The flight departs at 21.45.
Will the lounges be open?
Will the shops be open?
Will one of the on board meal choices be a traditional Xmas dinner?
Anything else different to a normal flight?
Does this flight ever get cancelled? (We booked a BA flight to Vancouver on Xmas Day a few years back and it was cancelled due to low passenger numbers so we were moved to the Xmas Eve flight). It's an Avios 2-4-1 booking so if it were cancelled would we get J seats on the new flight?
Hoping that a friend will take us to the airport so trying to work out best time to go - don't want to get there nice and early and find everything is shut. Also don't want to eat a big Xmas lunch in the afternoon then find the onboard catering serves something similar.
Will the lounges be open?
Will the shops be open?
Will one of the on board meal choices be a traditional Xmas dinner?
Anything else different to a normal flight?
Does this flight ever get cancelled? (We booked a BA flight to Vancouver on Xmas Day a few years back and it was cancelled due to low passenger numbers so we were moved to the Xmas Eve flight). It's an Avios 2-4-1 booking so if it were cancelled would we get J seats on the new flight?
Hoping that a friend will take us to the airport so trying to work out best time to go - don't want to get there nice and early and find everything is shut. Also don't want to eat a big Xmas lunch in the afternoon then find the onboard catering serves something similar.
Apr 26, 2018, 6:37 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Bonvoy Gold, HH Diamond, PriorityPass, AX Plat
Posts: 526
Apr 26, 2018, 7:59 am
#18
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 34
We few to LAS on Boxing Day in 2016. Coupled with it being during the Mixed Fleet strikes period (they didn't on this date in the end), the crew were very appreciative of the (relatively) expensive chocolates we got and consequently the LPGS didn't stop flowing.
Apr 26, 2018, 12:57 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,092
When you land in Sydney the trains are usually running (albeit to a Saturday timetable but that's fine from the airport) but almost every shop will be closed. Obviously don't know your plans but it's much more of a shutdown than "back home" in the UK. Also expect public holiday surcharges everywhere from taxis to hotels (for hotel read pub).
Apr 26, 2018, 1:11 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 153
Half the fun is in the planning! It's a 7 week trip to Australia and New Zealand so there's LOTS of planning!
When you book the flights at T-355 you have 355 days of planning and questions - only 243 days left to go so I'm sure there will be more questions along soon
When you book the flights at T-355 you have 355 days of planning and questions - only 243 days left to go so I'm sure there will be more questions along soon
Apr 26, 2018, 1:13 pm
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 153
That was my next question - yes we land on 27 so am hoping that its a normal day by then. However we should have a relation to pick us up and take us to our accommodation fingers crossed!
Apr 26, 2018, 4:11 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 469
Apr 26, 2018, 11:30 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Frensham, Lincolnshire
Programs: RFC
Posts: 5,093
Apr 26, 2018, 11:32 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Frensham, Lincolnshire
Programs: RFC
Posts: 5,093
Apr 26, 2018, 11:55 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,769
Going slightly off topic, Boston was mostly shut on Xmas Day. Chinese and Jewish eateries opened at lunchtime and prior to that, the odd coffee shop and convenience store.
Few places open at the railway station but a lot shut.
Buses and the Metro were running to whatever timetable even in the snow. Didn't have too much of a wait on some lines but more on others.
Whilst spending Xmas in Cairns, some of the eateries were open near the ocean but that seemed to be it. Lots of families etc. having barbeques etc.
Suppose there's variations everywhere depending on who celebrates what.
As said above, Chinese restaurants opened on Xmas Day but might be shut for days around their New Year.
Airport wise, it's just a case of making sure public transport is running, should it be required. Most things will be still open and whilst it might be quieter than an average day, it's surprising how many people are travelling.
Apr 27, 2018, 2:46 am
#29
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,964
Apr 27, 2018, 3:20 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: BA Gold, TK, DL, IHG Diamond, HHonours Gold, Hertz Presidents Club
Posts: 497
As others have said, it's very similar. IIRC correctly I've flown on the 25/12 six times.
Christmas themed food and staff usually a bit more jolly. The only major difference was on a Vegas flight in Y on Christmas, there was more passengers in J than in Y and the crew were looking forward to letting there hair down. drink never stopped and they spent most of the flight sat talking to the Y passengers once services were done.
The best part is traffic driving to the airport in the morning and from mid afternoon (I find that on the midday its quite busy as people drive to others) LHR quieter but less business travellers so different dynamic.
Christmas themed food and staff usually a bit more jolly. The only major difference was on a Vegas flight in Y on Christmas, there was more passengers in J than in Y and the crew were looking forward to letting there hair down. drink never stopped and they spent most of the flight sat talking to the Y passengers once services were done.
The best part is traffic driving to the airport in the morning and from mid afternoon (I find that on the midday its quite busy as people drive to others) LHR quieter but less business travellers so different dynamic.