Business Traveller are reporting that SpiceJet have secured slots at LHR for flights commencing 1st September, Type and frequency not known, although they have an A330 on lease from HiFly. The slots are valid until the end of October, so presumably leased from another airline.

Eastern also launching Teesside from 14 September

Got a jump seat ride on a BM DC9 from Teeside to LHR pre 9/11.😎 those were days.

Those were the days! I managed a jump-seat on Qantas when they operated a MAN-LHR-SYD route.

BA 747 into LHR on a cold crisp sunny morning from Chicago, 757 night approach to LGW, the rest en route visits.

Several jump seat rides on BA and BM during the 80s and 90s - those were the days. Regarding the Teesside service I wish them the best of luck, I think they will need it.

Slots are for 1530 arrival, 1730 departure. The airline is currently negotiating for Winter season slots.

UK Aviation News are reporting that the much-discussed JetBlue London gateway will be Heathrow. Flights to Boston and JFK will start in spring with newly-delivered A321LRs.

I read on Twitter that there are COVID-19 tests available at 2 terminals within the airport. I’m flying into Heathrow on Saturday connecting onto a UK domestic route, can anyone get tested? I understand there is a fee which I’m willing to pay.
I’m due to travel to a country on Monday that may require a negative test is provided upon arrival so this would be ideal as I can’t get tested by the NHS for travel...

The NHS tests are not available for travel purposes. You will need to get a private test.

BA are transferring there flights to BDA from LGW from 28th March 2021. Flights will operate daily.

Living in Yarm, I used that route quite a lot back in the late 70s. Arrived at the terminal 15 minutes before departure, hot breakfast en route, car and driver waiting at the terminal, and in the office for 9am. Two hours from bed to office !

I wasn’t aware the tests available at Heathrow were NHS tests, I read you had to pay for them so surly their private?
If testing is available in an airport surly the logic would be the tests can be used for travel...

Quote:

---

Airport Covid testing could start within weeks, says heathrow chief Two-test model could cut quarantine period in half, and allow popular London-New York route to reopen next month

---

The Guardian

Being reported over on Twitter that Loganair have slots this winter at LHR for two daily services to the Isle of Man. They come up if you play about with the Heathrow Airport flight information system and ask for flight information to the Isle of Man on a date in the winter season.

Quoted in press and rail industry, the Heathrow rail link from Great West rail likely to be delayed, and at past costings of £900m, HAL to subscribe more.
So a rail link to satisfy the HAL ego, when they provide excess space for car parks which provide income for HAL. 🥴

I never ran to such heady heights. However, in 1980 our UK office was close to Heathrow. The Chairman, X, got to a Daimler and chauffeur, Y, but was otherwise rather miserly. There was a lot of travel to corporate HQ in the USA. When BA came out with Transatlantic standby fares to combat Skytrain, he wrote around that these should be used. "They are cheaper, and I find I can always get a seat". Much disgruntlement.

One morning my colleague, Z, from the Newcastle office came down on the first BA flight to Heathrow heading for a meeting. Walking out of T1 to get a cab he noticed Chauffeur Y standing in the ticket desk queue. "Oh hello". "Ah, hello there Mr Z. Are you going over to the office ? Hang on a few minutes and I'll give you a lift back. Mr X is going to the USA this afternoon, and I've just been sent over to get his standby ticket". Alright for some.

"So a rail link to satisfy the HAL ego, when they provide excess space for car parks which provide income for HAL."

It was also backed by GWR and the local councils - more folk on trains less cars and buses on the M4 towards Reading

If anyone had any sense they could have preserved a west turn chord where the Heathrow Express meets the GWR main line but did they? Of course not ... then they sold the land for building...................................

Asturias56
I fully agree, it should have gone ahead at the chord you mention. However, building now requires a dive under for a eastbound track to reach the tunnel, and the whole width widened to six tracks, when it has been electrified. Weekend track closures necessary for the construction. Cost overrun from £1bn upwards.
Heathrow recent upgrade of road tunnels at the airport = 400% overspend.

Well the new junction is in the middle of the Green Belt and open fields so not as potentially troublesome - tho there is a large Travelers permanent encampment very close

To be fair the monster rebuild of Reading Station and the surrounding area did come in under budget and a year ahead of schedule.... one of the few big construction jobs to ever achieve that in the UK. On the other hand GWR electrification... or (whisper it) CrossRail.......................