Herod

BA annonce via BBC that Capt Lynn Barton will be the captain of the first plane to land at T5. Oh dear, I do hope not. All my experience suggests she would be better landing on one of the runways.

Ma'am

It's closer to the shops that way.

vs69

Not flying in a Harrier is she?

Ken Wells

A good case for a third runway methinks!

GobonaStick

Captain Lynn Barton will be the first pilot to fly into Heathrow’s Terminal 5 when it opens for business on Thursday morning (March 27).

Lynn, who previously earned her place in British Airways’ history as its first woman pilot, will be commanding BA026 from Hong Kong, which is scheduled to be the first arrival at the airline’s new £4.3bn home.

Lynn applied to operate the flight last month while she was on holiday in Barbados. She said “It was my husband’s idea to bid for the flight, but the timing meant I had to tear myself off the beach and find a computer so that I could apply through the airline’s flight- bidding system. I never thought I’d be in with a chance of actually getting the flight.”

“I found out when I got back from my holiday and was absolutely thrilled. Terminal 5 has been the focus of the airline’s future for several years now, and to operate the very first flight is a huge honour. I can’t wait,” she said.

Lynn, now 51, became British Airways’ first female pilot in 1987 when she joined the Boeing 747 fleet. Eight years earlier, she had been the first woman to be sponsored by the airline for her commercial pilot’s training at Hamble in Hampshire.

“I never thought of being anything other than a pilot when I was growing up. I had my very first flying lesson at the age of 16. I was incredibly proud to have been British Airways’ first ever woman pilot and now I have another first to my name!”

The new terminal building, which is for the exclusive use of British Airways customers, is more than five times the size of Terminal 4, and will give customers a much calmer, more relaxing and smoother airport experience.

“I’m already planning my passenger announcement for the first ever landing at Terminal 5. I want to make sure that I mark the occasion so that every one of my passengers can be part of history too.”

Since Lynn became the first female BA pilot in 1987 the number has risen dramatically and there are now 175 females among BA’s 3,200 pilots, which is significantly higher than the national average.

- Tedious 'Hello' type codswallop follows -

Lynn is not the only member of her family with a passion for flying. Her husband, Mike, has a private pilot’s licence and is currently building a new two-seater aircraft in their garage. Lynn said: “I don’t have a private licence any more so poor Mike has a very knowledgeable, but nagging co-pilot when we fly together.”

They live near Alton, Hampshire. Lynn, has a stepdaughter currently expecting her second child.

Howard Hughes

What is the under shoot area full?

Curious Pax

Willie Walsh is quoted on Sky News: " this is a massive logistical exercise, which is without parallel." - whilst undoubtedly a huge undertaking I would have thought that going through the same exercise, but moving from one airport to another as happened in Hong Kong would have been a greater task!

Basil

Yup! . . and it was earnestly hoped that a certain simulator would meet terminal injury on its trip across the harbour so that future six monthly checks would be carried out in the UK

Regrettably didn't happen

Hope all goes well on the first T5 flight

Ken Wells

Sure she wasn't bidding for T Side?

pulse1

Its OK. I've just tipped off the police that this lady is planning to "fly into" Terminal 5 on Thursday. They should have enought time to get to her with a couple of Typhoons beforehand. It would be a shame to see it destroyed so soon. It surely won't take BAA long to ruin it anyway.

EagleStar

I'm sure the landing will be fine.... But the parking will be terrible!

EagleStar

airship

I thought Lynn was only 49...?!

nosefirsteverytime

oooooh nasty!

Where's falpsy to defend the honour of female aviators?

airship

But I was only being chivalrous...

airborne_artist

Being an Irishman, Willie has conveniently forgotten D Day, which is probably the largest logistics challenge (not an exercise) ever, but never let the truth get in the way of a good story

threegreenlights

I am flying out of LHR T5 tomorrow, what's the likelihood of getting there without bumping into any protestors?

Evanelpus

Good luck to her, however, I do think BA have managed to put the corporate spin on the fact that she is a female pilot and was the first to be employed by them all those years ago. If you are on that particular flight you can bet your bottom dollar that it will be running to time!

I am flying out of LHR T5 tomorrow, what's the likelihood of getting there without bumping into any protestors?

I'm sure the unwashed rent a mob crowd will make their prescence known tomorrow, hopefully the boys in blue will be one step ahead of them this time.

ATNotts

Will she ever make it to the terminal? The media tells me that aircraft generally park on runways!

Mr Grumps

I hope nothing too disastrous happens tomorrow as I'm using staff travel in the evening.

beamender99

Flash mob invasion of T5


Up to 1,000 protesters are expected to flood Heathrow's Terminal 5 when it opens to the public tomorrow.
The anti-climate change activists, buoyed in recent weeks by high-profile demonstrations at the airport and at Westminster, are preparing to invade the £4billion building.
The flash mob protest will take place at 11am with activists revealing T-shirts proclaiming: "Stop Airport Expansion."
Campaigners have vowed the mass demonstration will be peaceful and not disrupt flights.
Security sources fear the protesters will join queues for flights or block escalators, causing mayhem.
Police chiefs have met to discuss the security implications and the number of officers is expected to be increased.
A Metropolitan police spokesman said: "We are working closely with airport authorities to put in place a suitable policing plan for the commercial opening of Terminal 5.
"We would strongly advise anyone planning any action that they are compliant with the law. Protest activity within the airport is illegal and draws police resources away from their primary-function of protecting the airport. Such behaviour can be at the least disruptive to the travelling public and intimidating for staff and the public.
"We will have a robust policing plan in place on the day so that anyone breaking the law is dealt with."
A spokesman for airport operator BAA said: "We welcome the ( environmental) debate - it is an important one to be had. But the protests tomorrow are not the appropriate forum in which to hold the debate. We will take whatever-action is necessary to protect the safety and security of the airport and our passengers. We hope that protesters will respect that and respect the right of people to fly."
Campaigners say about 800 T-shirts have been handed out and as many as 1,000 people are expected for the protest.
They claim interest has intensified following the stunts last month on a plane's tailfin and on the roof of the palace of Westminster. At a secret meeting near Russell Square Tube station on Monday, final details of tomorrow's protest were agreed. To avoid breaking conspiracy laws, protesters will arrive singly at the terminal, find fellow activists and begin "spontaneous" actions.
In a note circulated to protesters this week, organisers Plane Stupid said: "The airport opens to the public this Thursday, so if you've nothing to do (or feel like taking a sickie) come to the T5 Flash Mob. Get a 'stop airport expansion' T-shirt ... when the clock strikes 11am, whip your jacket off and let everyone know you what you think. Wearing a T-shirt in public isn't a crime - it's about the only thing you can do in the Terminal that's not illegal!"
A spokesman for the flash mob said: "The protest will be legal and peaceful. It will be calling for a freeze on airport expansion." Another source said: "The aim is basically to make complete and utter nuisances of themselves."