BA flights with suffix F
 

SLF here. Looking at LHR departures today, 11.55 BA flight BA344 to Nice is shown as "Cancelled". However 11.55 BA flight BA344F to Nice is shown as "On Time". Presumably this is something to do with CV flight bans, but I can't understand what is going on. What does the "F" suffix mean?

I would imagine "F" for "Ferry" as in a non revenue earning sector. Essentially a positioning flight, but I am prepared to stand corrected if I'm wrong.

Or 'F' for Freight.

Ferry flight out empty then pax inbound to LHR?

F = freight. Positioning flights carry a P suffix.

Normally both legs of a rotation will have the F.

The 'F' suffix stands for Freight. It can vary from day to day. e.g.today's and tomorrow's BA193 to Dallas are passenger (and freight) flights but the following day (23rd) it's BA193F denoting freight only. Note the ATC callsigns are unchanged (BAW31F). Just to add to the confusion, the 'F' in the callsign BAW31F doesn't signify a freighter. It's just an alphanumeric callsign to avoid confusion with another flight with a similar callsign.

The main differences between the two from an operational perspective are cabin crew are needed if passengers are carried but a freighter is flight crew only and a passenger flight needs access to a passenger terminal building but a freighter can park on a freight stand.

Aren't cabin crew needed if the freight is carried in the cabin - lack of fire sensors?

Yes, but most freighter flights are only carrying belly hold cargo and if it is carried in the cabin (which needs all the seats protected by covers and other bits and bobs), only a couple are needed to have one on duty at any time.