British airways

A BA flight from the Dominican Republic to Gatwick had to be diverted after a drunk passenger started shouting vile abuse at his partner. Despite strenuous efforts from the crew and other passengers, the muscle-bound thug, in his 30s, refused to calm down and the plane was finally diverted to Shannon Airport in southern Ireland. By this stage, his partner had complained of being hit and moved to the back of the plane for her safety and he had been warned by staff to calm down or the eight hour flight would be diverted. Witnesses said that he was undeterred and continued to intimidate fellow fliers by marching up and down the aisle with a rucksack on his shoulders.  A Garda police officer tries to wake up a passenger to arrest him and take him off the plane after he had been abusive to his girlfriend and other passengers on a flight from the Caribbean  'It was absolutely horrible,' said one female passenger, seated two rows back from the trouble. 'Four hours into the … [Read more...] about British Airways flight from Caribbean to London diverts to Ireland over ‘out-of-control holidaymaker’… but when police board plane he’s fallen asleep!

Natalie Flindall has been suspended after allegations that her boyfriend got 'hammered' and had flight with the pilot A British Airways stewardess has been suspended over allegations that her boyfriend got 'hammered' and had a fight with the pilot at a Singapore hotel. Natalie Flindall was staying with the crew at a hotel before their connecting flight to London the next day. She had been flying from Sydney to Singapore and the 'crew got plastered', according to an airline insider. They had allegedly 'used drinks smuggled off the BA in-flight trolley'. Ms Flindall's boyfriend had been invited and 'meant to take a back seat' and 'enjoy the ride', they told the Sun. But during the stop-over at Singapore, he got drunk and hit out at the pilot after an initial alcohol-fueled scuffle.  Natalie is facing the consequences for bringing her partner on to the flight and there is speculation about why the pilot has escaped any.  The stewardess, who is from Reading, has served as BA … [Read more...] about British Airways stewardess ‘is suspended over claims her boyfriend had an alcohol-fuelled bust-up with pilot’

A British Airways flight was evacuated after smoke filled the cabin shortly before landing.The airline confirmed an "incident" on flight BA422 which departed London Heathrow at 15:10 BST on Monday and landed in Valencia.Passengers had to slide down emergency chutes to the runway, with one describing the "terrifying" experience as "like a horror film". BA has apologised to the 175 passengers on board the aircraft, an Airbus A321.A statement from the airline said the flight had "experienced a technical issue" as it approached Valencia.Three passengers were taken to hospital and have since been discharged, BA added. It said staff members had assisted customers in the airport terminal after the evacuation.BA said there were two pilots and six cabin crew members on the flight.'Crying and hyperventilating'Passenger Gayle Fitzpatrick, who was on holiday with her husband, said: "There were no communications from the crew, some of which started to wear full oxygen masks and protective fire … [Read more...] about British Airways flight evacuated after smoke filled cabin

The pledge by International Airlines Group (IAG), the owner of British Airways, to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 is bold, in the context of a global aviation industry that has been accused of reacting slowly to the climate crisis. But someone needed to set an example. The onus to act is clear: although aviation’s current share of total carbon emissions is less than 2.5%, its share is projected to grow rapidly. This is even before factoring in the more onerous effects of emissions at altitude, and the warming effect of aircraft contrails. Yet airlines remain in a bind. While other sectors have clear, achievable methods of decarbonising, aviation struggles to see a route ahead – bar the fraught, unsatisfactory system of offsetting. The energy sector, the previous chief emitter ahead of transport, has rapidly found cleaner alternatives to coal. Within the transport sector, those sustainable forms of energy could transform much of road usage. But battery or hydrogen power … [Read more...] about BA’s early dive into carbon offsetting gives it an edge in the climate PR battle

Extinction Rebellion protesters are camping out ahead of fresh action over the weekend with a 'ceremony of grief' due to be held today followed by a funeral procession through the streets of London. The eco-anarchists are due to meet outside the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth, south-east London at around 1.30pm today where they will 'unite in grief, rage and love for life on Earth'.  It comes as Paralympic cyclist James Brown was last night charged with causing a public nuisance after climbing on a jet as part of Extinction Rebellion protests.  Scotland Yard said he had been charged with causing a public nuisance contrary to common law. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court today.  Brown, who is visually impaired, competed for Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland in a career which saw him participate at five Paralympic Games and earn two gold medals and a bronze.  Police work to remove Extinction Rebellion environmental activists from wooden … [Read more...] about Extinction Rebellion anarchists get set for fresh protests over the weekend with a ‘ceremony of grief and funeral procession’ through London as partially-blind activist who glued himself to British Airways jet is charged with causing a public nuisance