Heathrow empty this morning. Why? [BA902 from LHR to FRA, 27 Feb 2020]
Feb 26, 2020, 11:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Heathrow empty this morning. Why? [BA902 from LHR to FRA, 27 Feb 2020]
I am sitting on the usually packed BA902 from LHR to FRA, but it is almost empty today.
Are people avoiding flying because of virus scares?
View from the back of the bus
Are people avoiding flying because of virus scares?
View from the back of the bus
Feb 27, 2020, 10:15 am
#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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I was in Heathrow this morning (Gatwick yesterday and a few other places too.....). While I would certainly have expected that FRA flight to have more passengers, my perception of T5 was that it is a normal midweek February travel load, which is the quietest time of the year anyway.
Feb 27, 2020, 2:30 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 279
On the BRU flight (to yesterday and from today), there were a few empty aisle and window seats towards the front of ET, with Group 4 & 5 pers (I presume because they boarded towards the end) in middle seats. For example, I was in 7A, a late boarder took 7B but then shifted to 7C when that seat remained empty. It may be a bit of a long jump to this conclusion, but suggests that there were quite a few who decided not to fly? Otherwise my Silver status would have kept 7B empty if there was no-one allocated to 7C? That was the pattern I noticed in a few of the rows. 
Feb 27, 2020, 3:20 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2016
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I flew this week LAX-LHR, every seat in the house was packed.
But yes I would assume total passenger numbers are lower with the change of flights to China and Italy, etc, on top of Feb being a quiet time to fly with the cheapest tickets of the year usually!
Should start picking up in March, the virus won't survive as easily in warmer weather and all the panic should start subsiding, looks like in China it is stabilising, but of course Italy has not reached the peak yet.
But yes I would assume total passenger numbers are lower with the change of flights to China and Italy, etc, on top of Feb being a quiet time to fly with the cheapest tickets of the year usually!
Should start picking up in March, the virus won't survive as easily in warmer weather and all the panic should start subsiding, looks like in China it is stabilising, but of course Italy has not reached the peak yet.
Feb 27, 2020, 4:52 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,591
Interesting. I had booked a cheapish flight from BSL-LHR tomorrow on the late flight. For the first time ever, I've managed to change it to the earlier one free of charge, Also it's worth noting that although it's past midnight here it isn't yet in the UK, so some comments on the same-day-change thread about changes needing to be after midnight UK time aren't correct. Considering my flight was 60 CHF and the earlier one was over 350 CHF, I'm happy. Lost my emergency exit seat, but gained 2 hours.
I'm posting in this thread as I've often tried to do this, and it's never been possible before apart from occasionally saying I can switch to the first flight of the day which I don't want.
I'm posting in this thread as I've often tried to do this, and it's never been possible before apart from occasionally saying I can switch to the first flight of the day which I don't want.
Last edited by adrianlondon; Feb 27, 2020 at 5:02 pm
Feb 27, 2020, 7:09 pm
#9
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Feb 28, 2020, 1:44 am
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: DE
Posts: 265
LOL.You really think that's the best we can do?
Reality check: The price of oil is tanking like crazy. Yet, as are airline's stock prices. Flights are increasingly being cancelled not just for sake of the safety of crew and pax, but for predominantly commercial reasons as well (look just at what EZ and W6 did within the last 24h; they're cancelling flights due to the dip in demand).
Reality check: The price of oil is tanking like crazy. Yet, as are airline's stock prices. Flights are increasingly being cancelled not just for sake of the safety of crew and pax, but for predominantly commercial reasons as well (look just at what EZ and W6 did within the last 24h; they're cancelling flights due to the dip in demand).
Feb 28, 2020, 2:58 pm
#13
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Feb 29, 2020, 12:03 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,770
Most of my flights this week have been no emptier than usual.
Bit quieter to Milan, but most other places, no difference.
Today's flight showing 12 rows of CE. No idea how full until I board.
Not bothering me. Going to increase my flights over the next month.
Was hoping that Finnair might drop their HEL prices so I can do a run or two on the A350, but they're still 2-3x as much as BA even with potentially far less Asian connecting traffic.
Bit quieter to Milan, but most other places, no difference.
Today's flight showing 12 rows of CE. No idea how full until I board.
Not bothering me. Going to increase my flights over the next month.
Was hoping that Finnair might drop their HEL prices so I can do a run or two on the A350, but they're still 2-3x as much as BA even with potentially far less Asian connecting traffic.