BA passengers ‘within inches’ of each other on 70% full flight to Heathrow and crew ‘without masks or gloves’

SOCIAL distancing was non-existent on a British Airways flights yesterday, with dozens of passengers within inches of each other on touchdown.

There was the usual scramble for the exit on arriving at Heathrow airport with no attempt to keep flyers’ apart.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

A photo sent to The Sun showed people apparently oblivious to coronavirus lockdown rules as they arrived in the UK from Amsterdam. Crew were also not wearing gloves or face-masks.

One airline source said of BA Flight 431: “Everyone seems to have given up on social distancing. We’re calling it the ‘Dominic Cummings effect’.

“There was no hesitation whatsoever among the passengers. In recent weeks staff have been doing their best to keep people apart, but there is no effort now.

“It’s shocking how quickly we appear to have returned to normal.”

BA’s 180-seater Airbus A320 jet has been busy on the route during the pandemic, and yesterday’s one-hour 11.30am flight from Schipol airport to London was no exception.

Sources said largely empty flights, such as Heathrow to New York, had proved much easier to practise social distancing on.

An insider said: “BA seems to have taken a decision not to bother even trying to social distance passengers. Crew are not wearing masks or gloves on-board.

“Officially staff are required to ensure social distancing ‘where possible’. But that’s done away with.”

BA sources said the Amsterdam to Heathrow flight yesterday was around 70% full.

The airline has been taking extra coronavirus precautions, including scrapping the ‘hot towel’ service and handing out pre-prepared refreshments.

IN THE AIR

A BA spokesman told The Sun: “We follow all the guidance from the UK Government and global health authorities, including Public Health England and the World Health Organisation.

“We have taken several steps to greatly reduce contact between customers and crew, and personal protective equipment is available to them.

“Like other forms of transport we are keeping vital links open – repatriating customers and ensuring key supplies like medicines and food are flown in. Our teams are doing an amazing job.”

Meanwhile the Unite union’s bid to “embarrass” BA, following its bid to axe 12,000 staff and re-negotiate terms with the rest of its staff, stepped up a gear yesterday.

A poster signally ‘BA’s betrayal’ was beamed onto public landmarks including the UK and Scottish parliaments, the Angel of the North, Harrods and Marble Arch.

BA has been accused of using the coronavirus pandemic to streamline its operations, despite sitting on billions of revenue.