TruBrit

my girlfriend who is BA cabin crew on the toronto/LHR flight this evening called me again from the airport for a last chat before she heads back across the pond and there are no delays on her flight so looks like LHR will be ok in the morning ...famous last words spoken coz they could divert if the fog comes down again....oh how i miss those days...NOT

Englishmum

There wasn't so much a problem with the long haul flight departures; they are given priority so it was the domestic and short haul flights from LHR which have been cancelled. I assume that BAA prefers domestic passengers to switch to rail and road instead, whereas if you're flying to Bangkok you have little choice.

The problem is that instead of a three mile gap between aircraft departing and landing, this has to increase to six miles in thick fog - so there aren't enough hours in the day to accommodate all the plane movements at the busiest international airport in the world so they have to cancel flights.

simongb

I am flying to Manchester tomorrow (Friday). With the storm in the west and the fog in the UK, I hope everything goes well. It is so stressful traveling at Christmas time. If you miss the flight, then you're screwed! I wish everyone a pleasant Christmas and a safe trip wherever you travel.

Rompers

LHR is currently 450m in freezing fog

A cynic would say that BA cancels the domestic flights first because they are the least profitable....not me you understand, but a cynic.

TruBrit

nah it's usually coz the crew can't get to the airport coz of the fog

Jerseygirl

Last year we flew to the Manchester overnight on Christmas Eve. No probs with the weather...but the seats were heavily overbooked. Fortunately I checked in on line 24 hrs before take off. There were a lot of angry disappointed people that night.

Good Luck and enjoy your Christmas back home.

blaze

If I fly home next Christmas (which is my plan) then I think that I will try and fly out the week before just in case something silly happens then you have some time to play with. Anyway, I can't stand airports at this time of the year, way too claustrophobic for my liking.

mandpete

My parents took off from Manchester on time this morning.

Rushman

How do the crews of the transatlantic/long haul flights manage to get it then?

Bob

they have to be at the airport earlier and put up in a hotel till called out v the short haul who don't.

Pony

My daughters flight departed from Manchester too.

Happy Christmas

Jerseygirl

Bet you can't wait to see her again. Have a great Christmas with her Dave.

Dogbyte

Mcr clear as a bell just a little cold. All flights on time as of 5pm UK time 22/12 Have a good holiday

TruBrit

there's not so many longhaul flights departing as the short haul plus lots of longhaul crew do stand-by's at the airport hotels

Rompers

And longhaul pilots tend to be more resourceful (and better looking, more charming and better in bed.)