In what seems like it’s almost straight out of a comedy sketch, Boris Johnson is hurrying home from the Caribbean in British Airways economy (in a suit), probably hoping to be the next Prime Minister (again).
In this post:
Boris Johnson’s flight in British Airways economy
With Liz Truss resigning as Prime Minister after just 45 days in office, it’s entirely possible that Boris Johnson may once again become Prime Minister, just weeks after resigning from the post.
Johnson has been in the Dominican Republic on vacation for the past couple of weeks, but decided to cut his vacation short. So on Friday, October 21, 2022, Johnson took British Airways’ flight BA2156 from Punta Cana (PUJ) to London Gatwick (LGW) via Antigua (ANU).
That first flight covers a distance of 445 miles and is blocked at 1hr25min, while that second flight covers a distance of 4,081 miles, and is blocked at 8hr. This service operates twice weekly (Mondays and Fridays) with a Boeing 777. This is a three cabin leisure configured Boeing 777-200ER, featuring business class, premium economy, and economy.
Interestingly Johnson and his family were seated toward the back of economy, and Johnson even dressed for the occasion (maybe he read online that dressing nicely could score you an upgrade?). 😉
While Johnson was traveling in economy, reports from fellow passengers suggest that he and his family still received special treatment. They were separated from other passengers at the airport, and then pre-boarded before everyone else. Johnson was reportedly booed by some fellow passengers, though it’s anyone’s guess if he even heard that.
Why was Johnson flying economy on British Airways?
It’s pretty interesting that Johnson flew back to London in economy. After all, he’s independently quite wealthy and was also Prime Minister, so I don’t think anyone would consider it all too excessive for him to be in business class. Furthermore, presumably arriving in London well rested would benefit him, given his ambitions.
So what’s the explanation?
- Business class and premium economy were full, or at least didn’t have enough seats for his entire family
- Business class and premium economy were prohibitively expensive, as that’s not totally inconceivable for a last minute ticket change
- Johnson flew in economy for the optics as he tries to again secure the job of Prime Minister, and wants to come across as a “man of the people”
Personally I suspect the last explanation is the most likely, and he flew in economy for the optics. It can’t be ruled out, though, that business class just wasn’t available. While there are reports that there were empty seats in business class, who knows if that’s actually true, and for that matter it could be that there weren’t any business class seats for sale in advance, but there were no shows at the last minute.
Bottom line
Boris Johnson cut short his vacation in the Dominican Republic to return to London, following Liz Truss’ resignation. He flew home on British Airways from Punta Cana to London Gatwick via Antigua, though arguably the most interesting part of his journey was that he flew in economy.
I suspect he did this for optics. He’s also probably one of the few people to fly across the Atlantic from the Dominican Republic in a suit.
What do you make of Johnson’s British Airways economy trip?
the former prime minister of one of the world's leading countries and economies, is flying economy, but our dear leader ben cannot and will not take an overse3as trip fling economy.. there used to be a saying that the sun never sets on the british/ english empire.
come on princess ben, if he can then you can also fly in economy overseas either to asia or to europe. it will not be your down fall and you will be okay, if he can do it, you can do it princess ben.
You’re an a**hole, and clearly homophobic.
how am i an a ** hole? and clearly homophobic?
i have a transgendered mtf as my girlfriend, so i am a homophobe? ben is a princess, let's face it. he is a princess...
I admit to being confused by acronyms. What’s a “MTF”?
I’ve always thought Ben to be honest…maybe that’s what I’m responding to…nothing about his blog posts seems like he’s a princess.
I agree with Icarus: can't wait to see Diane Abbott as the next Chancellor of the Exchequer...
REALLY??? Diane Abbott is the last I would want should serve in any cabinet.
First, she should fix what's going on in Hackney, then she should start with country. Look at the standstill traffic on A10 every day, because of all LTNs and School streets.
Stop those left socialist Marxist communist Corbynism labour coming into power.
#BringBackBoris #StopRishi
The photo in the Observer of his arrival at Gatwick shows he was definitely not wearing a suit. Casual pants that fell somewhat below his shirttail so some skin was showing.
Too bad Jeffrey Epstein's jet wasn't avaialble for times like this.
Please blog give me your flawless political opinions!
To bring all speculations to an end, the entire flight from PUJ-LGW was fully booked, except for 1 seat in Economy according to the seatmap.
He simply just had to take, what was available at the time, he re-booked! ;-)
as shown in details below:
>
doBA2156/21oct
DOBA2156/21OCT
* OPERATIONAL FLIGHT INFO * BA2156 -2 FR 21OCT22
CITY INFO HOUR (LOCAL)
PUJ ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE 1755
...
To bring all speculations to an end, the entire flight from PUJ-LGW was fully booked, except for 1 seat in Economy according to the seatmap.
He simply just had to take, what was available at the time, he re-booked! ;-)
as shown in details below:
>
doBA2156/21oct
DOBA2156/21OCT
* OPERATIONAL FLIGHT INFO * BA2156 -2 FR 21OCT22
CITY INFO HOUR (LOCAL)
PUJ ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE 1755
LEFT THE GATE 1754
TOOK OFF 1807
ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL 1915 ANU
ANU AIRCRAFT LANDED 1909
ARRIVED 1912
ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE 2030
LEFT THE GATE 2056
TOOK OFF 2116
DELAY ZO
ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL 1021 LGW
LGW AIRCRAFT LANDED 1018
ARRIVED 1026
*1A PLANNED FLIGHT INFO* BA2156 -2 FR 21OCT22
APT ARR DY DEP DY CLASS/MEAL EQP GRND EFT TTL
PUJ 1755 FR JCDRIWETYBH/M 777 1:25
KMLVSNQOG/M
ANU 1920 FR 2030 FR JCDRIWETYBH/M 1:10 8:00
KMLVSNQOG/M
)>
>
md
ARRIVED 1026
*1A PLANNED FLIGHT INFO* BA2156 -2 FR 21OCT22
APT ARR DY DEP DY CLASS/MEAL EQP GRND EFT TTL
PUJ 1755 FR JCDRIWETYBH/M 777 1:25
KMLVSNQOG/M
ANU 1920 FR 2030 FR JCDRIWETYBH/M 1:10 8:00
KMLVSNQOG/M
LGW 0930 SA 10:35
COMMENTS-
1.ENTIRE FLT- MEMBER OF ONEWORLD
2.PUJ ANU - DEPARTS TERMINAL B
3.ANU LGW - ARRIVES TERMINAL S
4.ENTIRE FLT- 9/ NON-SMOKING
5.ENTIRE FLT- ET/ ELECTRONIC TKT CANDIDATE
6.PUJ ANU - CO2/PAX* 100.40 KG ECO, 100.40 KG PRE
7.PUJ LGW - CO2/PAX* 536.50 KG ECO, 972.60 KG PRE
8.ANU LGW - CO2/PAX* 436.10 KG ECO, 872.20 KG PRE
(*):SOURCE:ICAO CARBON EMISSIONS CALCULATOR
CONFIGURATION-
777 J 32 W 52 M 252
>
smBA2156/j/21octpujlgw
SM BA 2156/J/21OCTPUJLGW
SM BA 2156 J 21OCT PUJLGW 777
J
0
0
1234
B B
K ++++ K
J ++++ J
G ++++ G
F ++++ F
E ++++ E
D ++++ D
B ++++ B
A ++++ A
B B
. AVAILABLE WING F GEN FACI K GALLEY E EXIT C COT
+ OCCUPIED - LAST OFF H HANDICAP Q QUIET G GROUPS P PET
/ RESTRICTED B BULKHEAD V PREF.SEAT X BLOCKED L LEGROOM U UMNR
() SMOKING D DEPORTEE UP UP-DECK Z NO FILM I INFANT R REAR
)>
>
smBA2156/w/21octpujlgw
SM BA 2156/W/21OCTPUJLGW
SM BA 2156 W 21OCT PUJLGW 777
W
0
1
0123456
BB
K +++++++ K
J +++++++ J
G ++++++ G
F ++++++ F
E ++++++ E
D ++++++ D
B +++++++ B
A +++++++ A
BB
. AVAILABLE WING F GEN FACI K GALLEY E EXIT C COT
+ OCCUPIED - LAST OFF H HANDICAP Q QUIET G GROUPS P PET
/ RESTRICTED B BULKHEAD V PREF.SEAT X BLOCKED L LEGROOM U UMNR
() SMOKING D DEPORTEE UP UP-DECK Z NO FILM I INFANT R REAR
)>
>
smBA2156/y/21octpujlgw
SM BA 2156/Y/21OCTPUJLGW
SM BA 2156 Y 21OCT PUJLGW 777
M
0 0 0 0
2 3 3 4
012345678901 2 34567890123456
B EB
K ++++++++++++ K + ++++++++++++ K
J ++++++++++++ J + ++++++++++++ J
H ++++++++++++ H + +++++++++ H
G ++++++++++++ G + ++++++++++++++ G
F ++++++++++++ F + ++++++++++++++ F
E ++++++++++++ E + ++++++++++++++ E
D ++++++++++++ D + ++++++++++++++ D
C ++++++++++++ C + +++++++++ C
B ++++++++++++ B + +++++++++++X B
. AVAILABLE WING F GEN FACI K GALLEY E EXIT C COT
+ OCCUPIED - LAST OFF H HANDICAP Q QUIET G GROUPS P PET
/ RESTRICTED B BULKHEAD V PREF.SEAT X BLOCKED L LEGROOM U UMNR
() SMOKING D DEPORTEE UP UP-DECK Z NO FILM I INFANT R REAR
)>
Given the same circumstances I’m sure Donald and Melanie, and the children, would do the same thing, assuming Trump could wedge his butt into an economy seat.
He will fly his 757....
Bullocks Benjamin !! Bullocks
Why are you all so judgmental? He was voted in by over 100 MP’s. He successfully brought the UK out of the EU. UK was paying most of the bills….wise move on his part.
The Conservative Party is his people….why wouldn’t he not go home? Maybe he was not as posh as some do-gooders wanted him to be. Even Ed Sheehan left the stage once to go use the bathroom…..Brits love him too! And...
Why are you all so judgmental? He was voted in by over 100 MP’s. He successfully brought the UK out of the EU. UK was paying most of the bills….wise move on his part.
The Conservative Party is his people….why wouldn’t he not go home? Maybe he was not as posh as some do-gooders wanted him to be. Even Ed Sheehan left the stage once to go use the bathroom…..Brits love him too! And any of you would gladly attend your own birthday party. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 Hosea 6:6 for O.T. believers.
Some still support him yes, but the majority of us decidedly does not.
Successfully out of the EU. an unmitigated disaster. Please elucidate with all the benefits. He’s an a- hole like all his supporters.
Ah, yes, that's Boris - a man of the people.
lol
Unlike many other countries politicians and members of the royal family often sit in the back. David Cameron a previous PM was seen on a charter flight. When he was Prince William the Prince of Wales and his family took an Easyjet flight to go on holiday. I think the front sections of Boris s flight was full
Although wealthy on paper, I understand Boris isn’t exactly awash with cash courtesy of divorces and new babies. That was one of the many reasons he got into hot water (someone secretly paying for his house renovations at 10 Downing Street).
An MP salary is not as high as you would think for someone living in high-cost London with a new wife and young children. Certainly not enough to fund multiple business class seats on...
Although wealthy on paper, I understand Boris isn’t exactly awash with cash courtesy of divorces and new babies. That was one of the many reasons he got into hot water (someone secretly paying for his house renovations at 10 Downing Street).
An MP salary is not as high as you would think for someone living in high-cost London with a new wife and young children. Certainly not enough to fund multiple business class seats on BA during the peak UK school holiday / half-term break.
From the photo the seat appears to be BA Premium Economy - not economy. ??
Who cares? As long as he is paying for the trip himself, if he is in cargo or first class, it is his business.
I just checked the loads. That flight departed ANU with 2 empty seats, both in economy. There's only 32 J seats, and on a route like that, they'll be fully booked weeks/months in advance with non-time flexible holidaymakers.
What's even more funny will be after all his effort, he still didn't get his position back.
Why give this idiot any time? Don’t care whether he was in economy or business ?
We’ve had 6 weeks of a loser who couldn’t organise a p— up in a brewery.
Cruella Braverman, Therese Coffey not fit to clean toilets.
Even her father thinks she’s a dud.
But she’s alright Jack. Gets a nice income and pension, and can live comfortably, unlike the majority.
General election now
Duplicitous leftism strikes again. Obama AG flies private? No problem. GOP cabinet member flies domestic F? Outrage! Socialist senator flies domestic F? Nothing to see here. Conservative former PM flies economy? Political ploy just for optics! You people are shameless.
Agree!!!
I didn’t see an article from Ben or onemileatatime about the 118 private jets that want to COP26 and the carbon footprint that caused. Guess it didn’t fit the narrative they are wanting to push.
A certain snowflake needs a tissue, poor baby.
If there were seats unoccupied in J, any company should be happy to give out a complimentary or 1USD upgrade to a figure of such global significance, as the ratio between investment and potential returns are transcendent.
What are you smoking, and why aren't you sharing?
This is exathe sort of thing that makes trouble for public figures.
Besides, the flight was nearly full. He is lucky to. have gotten ehst he got.
A populist buffoon, less dangerous perhaps than his American or Italian counterparts, but nonetheless part of the cancer the world is engulfed in at the moment.
Ben, for the record, this is not the first time Boris has flown economy or premium economy. He has done it a couple of years before when flying to the Caribean and once before that to China.
Even Truss will receive a 110K annually pension for the rest of her life lol, he could have easily afforded a private jet if he is so rushed to get back to the UK.
Shocked by fuel surcharges for the first time coming out of his pocket, opted for economy…lol
I do not like many foreign leaders but I do like Boris a lot, and both him and President Trump back as leaders in 2024 will be a great partnership. We can do stronger trade deals together and make the West strong again.
Idiot
Who pissed in your coffee today??
Ben, I'm with you! Surely he flew Economy for the optics. Even if he would have been flying Business it would have reached the news. So why it didn't on the outward flight? You know why? Because outward he flew Private.
Nobody can convince me that there is an economical reason why he didn't flew Private back home. The news wouldn't be here.
That's he's first marketing stunt for the campaign!
50% optics 50% practicalities, he’s got a minimum of 4 personal protection officers, a nanny and a PPS who flew out the previous day. He was not wearing a suit, he was photographed at Gatwick with his entourage wearing plum chinos, a white shirt and suit jacket, quite the proper way for an English gentleman to wear when travelling back to begin his campaign to get back into number 10. #BringBackBoris
Portraying Boris - a fat, unkempt, sweaty blob of a man usually dressed as a Big Issue vendor after a fall in the canal - as an icon of style is ludicrous. Calling him a gentleman is even more absurd.
Wait, wearing a suit at check in doesn't get you an upgrade?! Who knew!
As it is a purely leisure route, I wouldn't expect many no-shows, in any class.
Yes, he flew down the back for politics.
Given the publicity, he certainly wouldn't have risked being up front while kids were at the back!
Hopefully messed his sleep up enough that any MPs who meet him tomorrow and Monday will not be taken in by him yet again.
Former British prime ministers never used to get security but they do now. I believe that changed after Tony Blair left office due to jihadists. It was probably easier for his security detail (most likely two plain-clothes policemen) for everyone to sit at the back of economy. They can control access to him. Also, presumably he would be less harassed at the back of the plane as nobody is walking by him.
I think it's been on and off.
I believe that in the 1970s and 1980s, ex-Prime Ministers and ex-NI Secretaries got protection (or at least were offered it) because of the threat from the IRA/INLA.
It's never about them needing to get security, it's about a former leader of a major nation being assassinated been shameful to the government.
Yeah, he's been swanning around getting paid 130 grands to say some twaddle to a roomful of Yanks - all while he should be either in Westminster or at his constituency, not that wet rag named Lindsey Hoyle will do anything about it - and now that there's a slim chance he could go back to enjoy the Ferrero Rocher decor his mates put in No 10 he's back. Go do one, Boris.
Glad someone said it. They get 80 days off a year... yet he was holidaying when he should have been representing his constituents in parliament.
Tosser.
In that part of the world, it’s “holiday”, not “vacation”.
Moving on, it’s humbling to see some someone of his stature flying in cattle class, let alone commercial. You would think someone like him would be on a government or a private jet.
He’s just another Member of Parliament at this point. Over in the USA, Members of Congress only get reimbursed for economy flights when they’re on government business so they have to book as such and are often in the back of the plane because their office buys two hours before departure walk-up fares when Congress is in session and it’s uncertain when debate will wrap up for a day. At which point, premium cabins are...
He’s just another Member of Parliament at this point. Over in the USA, Members of Congress only get reimbursed for economy flights when they’re on government business so they have to book as such and are often in the back of the plane because their office buys two hours before departure walk-up fares when Congress is in session and it’s uncertain when debate will wrap up for a day. At which point, premium cabins are typically sold out. You also get plenty of stories of the Gate 35X days at DCA where the Congresspeopel were stuck in the same shuttle bus/bus gate hell as everyone else.
That looks like premium economy
@ Dan l -- Premium economy is in a 2-4-2 configuration on the BA 777s, and as you can see, there are three seats by the window here.
Are you sure ? I see two seats and an aisle, they look too big for economy.
It is indeed Premium Economy, if BA Economy looked that good, I will fly it anyday
Nevermind, it’s the retrofitted B777. Normally most of them have the old seats which is why I got confused
And I read he was in 34K, which is economy