msm2000uk

Auto-correct is not my friend at times!

M

PUCCI GALORE

Touche! Sorry, I am unembarrassed at not knowing how to do an accent aigu on a UK keyboard. Indeed, I would be amazed if Macron did not fly.

My thought are that this is probably the last time in my lifetime that there will ever be a great outpouring of emotion in the country that for many years I called home. That there may be delays and cancellations would not surprise me. I do not happen to be travelling but for once this is totally justifiable. I have never known any other Monarch but Her. She always was there. We all knew that this would happen, but none the less the reality had hit many. We have got so used to everything that we never contemplated the impact that the change would have. I am not a fervent monarchist or royalist, but she somehow was different - indeed I had met her on several occasions. This does change one's perspective especially with someone who occupies a very unique role

I have read with pleasure that the majority of people regard disruptions as am inconvenience to the point of being a bore, but are resigned to the fact. The fact is that suddenly the UK has changed Prime Minister and Head of State within hours. This takes a bit of digestion as well. As far as I am concerned, London should and will fall silent for those hours. It is respect not only for those who have left us but also for those in the crowds who wish to pay homage. It is not a time for aircraft to go screaming overhead, cars to be blowing horns (there will be no cars for miles around I should think). Thus BA will be the most impacted as they have the most landings and take-offs. I am sorry for those of you who will be caught in this but there it is. This is a one-off as I suspect that there will not be another ever as there are going to be changes.

What I can tell you from personal experience is that there are very experienced officers in Security who are being asked to return for consultation purposes. Security is the biggest headache with all these heads of state who as someone has said will not be flying aircraft into Heathrow. I would imagine that Farnborough, Biggin Hill, Stansted and Luton will be used. I would imagine that there will be a use of national carriers and some people might be turfed out of the F or J seats on security grounds - we will see.

All I can say is that I will be in front of the television if it is shown on Spanish TV (I imagine that Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will be attending). We will not witness its like again.

crazy8534

Muphry's Law in action!

S_W_S

The BBC have been streaming on YouTube, so if Spanish TV does not show it, the BBC Will be available to all https://www.youtube.com/user/BBC

PUCCI GALORE

Good man! That is most useful and to others abroad. I would rather have a BBC commentary.

onaswan

And we're back on my original point. IF BA is going to cancel flights on Monday, it will be totally expected - I was suspecting it, as I wrote my original post. If BA is going to cancel Monday flights, then... PLEASE MAKE THE DECISION NOW in order that I (we) can mitigate by some sensible planning, with plenty(ish) of time to make agreeable alternatives. Please don't drop it on me, on the day.

Cw novice

One of the the big headaches for Heathrow in particular will be flightpaths for Easterlies and Westerlies will be affected. Funeral at Westminster first of all and then internment at Windsor later. Usually with a Royal event it would be one but for the first time it will be both.

This is before the impact of staff struggling to get to work etc. I would imagine as it's a bank holiday that shorthauls certainly will take a hit as you would think there would be a reduction in business travel.

Am sure there will be a plan for this and as a one-off event that most Customers will be flexible to it.

sunshinebob

All well and good having a plan but it's Thursday today and the Funeral is on Monday. It's time to let people know the plan so as they can plan too.....

onaswan

Thanks, Sunshinebob. Yes - tell us the plan! I have run through a couple of workable solutions (in my head) that would impact me the least, but they involve traveling earlier rather than later, which means that the announcement needs to be earlier than 'the day before'. As I said earlier, I am pretty flexible bringing my travel earlier, but I would really not want to be bounced to the Tuesday. Do it now, in order that we can make alternative arrangements!

msm2000uk

I'd imagine the difficulty is that BA simply don't have a plan yet.

They'll be reliant on other people for information, and perhaps it hasn't yet been shared.

What I will say though, is that EI have started offering people the chance to skip routing via LHR and fly directly from DUB to the USA - they have been advised to do so by BA and AA for those coming into the London region on Monday.

M

Heathrow Tower

I would imagine things will come out today.

Heathrow Tower

In fact, NOTAM has been issued. Time UTC

msm2000uk

So departures are on a 40% reduction all day, while arrivals will only be affected after the funeral.

I suppose there will be more news later today from the airline itself, once scheduling find a red pen with enough ink!

M

KARFA

I read it as 40% reduction in departures and arrivals only between 1345-2000 rather than anything applying all day.

msm2000uk

Well that's what I initially thought, but then figured I was being stupid.

Surely they won't want much noise during the funeral, opposed to simply when the coffin is being taken to its final resting place (after the funeral).

M