British Airways Fan Blog

British Airways let passengers live stream Queen Elizabeth’s funeral mid-flight

British Airways Embraer ERJ-190 Departs From Amsterdam

British Airways suspended its usual WiFi charges so passengers could watch Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral while they were in the air on Monday.

A representative for the airline confirmed to Insider that passengers on any planes with WiFi networks would be able to livestream the historic funeral on their personal devices.

BA’s in-flight WiFi usually costs between $6 to $14 for browsing or streaming, according to the airline’s website.

British Airways added that it would observe the two minutes of silence held across the UK at the end of the funeral, with some flights being retimed or canceled to reduce noise at various times during the day.

The spokesperson said: “As a mark of respect for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her State Funeral, we have reduced our schedule and re-timed some flights at Heathrow to ensure the skies are quiet at certain moments on Monday, September 19.” The airline also told The Independent that it had canceled 100 flights scheduled to take off from Heathrow on Monday. The representative added that 50 short-haul routes from Heathrow had been canceled or rescheduled, but no long-haul routes were affected. About 15% of the airport’s schedule will be altered for the funeral on Monday, per The Independent.

Heathrow also said on its website that it would screen the funeral in the airport and observe the two minutes of silence.

Read more by Beatrice Nolan

Top 10 reasons why I like to fly British Airways

British Airways, part of International Airlines Group (also parent of Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus) is one of the world’s leading global premium airlines. The UK flagship carrier has a fleet of more than 280 aircraft – including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 – that fly 123,000 passengers across the globe every day. A British Airways aircraft takes off from somewhere in the world every 90 seconds. The carrier was created in 1974 after the British government decided to merge several national and regional airline corporations. However, the carrier is marking 2019 as its centenary on the basis of the foundation of its forerunner company, Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited (AT&T), which launched the world’s first daily international scheduled air service between London and Paris in 1919. I fly with British Airways a lot (cf my trip reports below), and although I was disappointed with them in the past, I noticed that the carrier recently dramatically stepped up its game, hence why they rank again among my favorite airlines for longhaul Business Class. Here are ten reasons why I like to fly British Airways (again) and why they are often my first choice for a longhaul Business Class flight.

Read more ……

Cheap Flights to United Kingdom

Located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe, United Kingdom (UK) is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Comprising England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, United Kingdom is inhabited by four main nationalities and immigrants from other parts of the world. Rich in history, arts and literature, United Kingdom is amongst the few countries in the world, blessed with such a great heritage. Take off to this fascinating country booking United Kingdom flights on OneTravel.

Read more ….

London-San Jose direct flights soar with British Airways relaunch

SAN JOSE — Nonstop flights between London and San Jose have resumed after more than two years, a relaunch that helps underscore Silicon Valley’s recovery from economic maladies linked to the coronavirus.

The first San Jose-London flight occurred Monday night, with additional flights Tuesday and Thursday of this week.

Daily service that links Silicon Valley and England resumes on Saturday, June 18. All the flights are nonstop.

Read more ….

British Airways Plans To Exceed Pre-Pandemic A380 Operations By Augus

British Airways, Airbus A380, Maintenance

The British flag carrier is sticking by the giant of the skies while its European rivals have retired the type.

If it sticks to the current schedule, British Airways will exceed its pre-pandemic Airbus A380 operations by the end of the year. Currently, 495 Airbus A380 flights are planned for August 2022, up 7% from August 2019. By November, the airline plans to operate more A380 flights in a month than at any point since its first Airbus A380 flight in August 2013.

Many assumed that the COVID-19 pandemic would mark the death of the Airbus A380, especially after large users such as Air France and Lufthansa wrote off their remaining fleets. While the type has suffered significant losses, the pandemic didn’t defeat it. In fact, like Emirates, British Airways has signaled that it is ready to continue flying the giant of the skies for years to come.

Read more By Tom Boon

British Airways announces huge new flight changes as free snacks return for passengers

British Airways has announced a string of changes to its service as the UK continues to emerge from worst of the Covid crisis.

In an email to customers issued yesterday, BA CEO Sean Doyle confirmed that the airline will bring back offering customers complimentary water and snacks during short haul flights.

British Airways got rid of free snacks on its short-haul flights in 2016, forcing passengers to pay for sandwiches.

Efforts are also being made to work on improving the quality of its meals and choice that are served across all of its cabins.

The airline will continue to provide table service at its branded lounges – which was introduced during the pandemic.

Read more By Daniel Morrow

British Airways owner warns it could cut Heathrow flights over higher charges

British Airways planes at Heathrow airport

British Airways could move flights away from Heathrow if the airport is allowed to increase charges by 50%, the airline’s owner has warned.

The International Airlines Group chief executive, Luis Gallego, said it “would not be alone” in taking its business elsewhere, undermining the global competitiveness of the UK.

IAG, which also owns Aer Lingus and Iberia, is the biggest operator at the London hub and has led objections to proposed increases in landing charges.

The price for each passenger could rise by up to 56% by 2023, from £22 to £34.50, under a decision by the CAA, the aviation regulator, which airlines say would be passed on in higher fares.

Read more ……

British Airways could launch a new low-cost airline for Europe

London (CNN Business)British Airways is planning to launch a new, low-cost short-haul carrier as it seeks to compete with Ryanair (RYAAY) and EasyJet (ESYJY) in the one area of aviation that appears to be recovering well from the pandemic.In a memo to staff first reported by travel website Headforpoints.com, CEO Sean Doyle said that British Airways was planning a “new operating subsidiary” to run alongside its existing long-haul operation at London’s Gatwick airport.Doyle added that the new airline would seek to serve “highly competitive” short-haul routes from London’s second-biggest airport by the summer of 2022.

A spokesperson for the carrier, which is owned by International Airlines Group (ICAGY), told CNN Business that it was working with labor unions “on proposals for a short-haul operation at Gatwick” butdeclined to comment further.

This isn’t the global airline’s first shot at launching an airline focused solely on short-haul flights to Europe. Go Fly was a low-cost carrier founded by British Airways in 1998 that operated out of London’s Stansted airport to various destinations across the continent. It was purchased four years later by EasyJet, now the biggest airline operating out of Gatwick.

Read more By Lauren Gunn, CNN Business

New face mask rules

British Airways requires passengers to wear face masks at all times, both in the airport and onboard flights. The airline states on its website that “as a guide one mask lasts four hours so please bring enough for your journey”.

Read more ….

British Airways partners with Dettol

British Airways has partnered with the creators of hygiene brand Dettol as part of its “ongoing commitment to keep staff and customers safe”.

The airline is collaborating with Reckitt Benckiser, the makers of Dettol, to provide a range of its cleaning products to customers from March 2021. The updated cleaning protocols are supported by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

The Dettol products will be used both in the air and on the ground. At Heathrow Terminal 5, for instance, there will be hand sanitiser stations positioned at all check-in desks, self-service bag drop, lounges and departure gates – the current sanitisation stations will be replaced with Dettol products.

Additionally, Dettol antibacterial wipes, cleaners and sprays will be used to keep surfaces clean at the airport and in British Airways’ lounges. Passengers will also be given a packet containing an antibacterial wipe as they board the aircraft.

Read more by Hannah Brandler