Airport Live

It seems that they attempted to demonstrate the bustling of Heathrow by hosting a dynamic live show where they repeatedly say the word busy to show busy it is. It showed nothing new, the presenters didn't know much about aviation and asked the wrong questions. It was like a really poor One Show.

The only good thing I thought was due to their location above T3 you saw hardly any BA planes and Virgin appeared to be the dominant airline at Heathrow! For Joe Public esp from outside of London I think they might actually be surprised how big the airline is.

I actually quite enjoyed it. Though I did notice a high proportion of Virgin aricraft compared to BA as well. y)

I'm glad it wasn't just me! And I was a bit irked when he got on the bed with his shoes on!!!!

Glad it wasn't just me thought that about the shoes!

Have to say I multi-tasked whilst watching the program too

Forgot it was on, so only saw last 20 mins...I thought the bed/shoes bit was a bit cheeky....chuffed at seeing the Virgin fleet! Did anyone think the BA service guy was a bit grumpy? Still, must be a really stressful job trying to "turn-a- round" aircraft in 40 mins ready for boarding....

I think there are some fairly harsh comments on this thread.

Firstly, the series is aimed at the mainstream viewer, not hardened V-Flyers who have a rather more intricate knowledge of aviation than most. However, even I found the pre-recorded sections very good, particularly inside the ATC tower.

The turnaround manager, A380 live towing and inside the SQ A380 were all good features.

I think it offered the general public a good insight into the workings of LHR, and what it takes to keep the place ticking over.

Having said that, I think it's a real shame that Dan Snow has had to pull out. Although she had minimal prep time, Kate Humble really didn't cut it very well last night. Asking the BA Chief Pilot if he'd ever thought "oh my God" on take off, and "I don't like airports, I've often found them a chore" were rather cringeworthy. Dan Snow's more authoritative and calm style would have suited the programme much more. I think someone like James May would have made a much better stand in.

I look forward to seeing what else they have in store this week.

[Neil]

I think there are some fairly harsh comments on this thread.

Firstly, the series is aimed at the mainstream viewer, not hardened V-Flyers who have a rather more intricate knowledge of aviation than most. However, even I found the pre-recorded sections very good, particularly inside the ATC tower.

The turnaround manager, A380 live towing and inside the SQ A380 were all good features.

I think it offered the general public a good insight into the workings of LHR, and what it takes to keep the place ticking over.

Having said that, I think it's a real shame that Dan Snow has had to pull out. Although she had minimal prep time, Kate Humble really didn't cut it very well last night. Asking the BA Chief Pilot if he'd ever thought "oh my God" on take off, and "I don't like airports, I've often found them a chore" were rather cringeworthy. Dan Snow's more authoritative and calm style would have suited the programme much more. I think someone like James May would have made a much better stand in.

I look forward to seeing what else they have in store this week.

I agree 100% with everything you have said

The BBC were in the Ops Rooms at Swanwick a few weeks back, doing features on where the arrivals traffic comes from and where departures are passed to after QSY from tower, we were told that would be on the 2nd episode so expecting that tonight

I did enjoy it, I know nothing about engines etc, But thought it was great free advertising for our Virgin Atlantic fleet. I love airports and the hustle and bustle of the workers going about there duties. I was shocked how slow looking the A380 aircraft seem to take off. I also thought the CC looked put out with the shoes on the bed. Looking forward to tonights show. Yes i am sad. ii)

I think it would of been better to not be live at all. Making it more like the old "Airport" series or the recent "The Tube" series.

Good for VS for having their gates by the tower, and to kick up a fuss that they shouldn't only show BA operations.

Kate did have some notice so I don't think that is too much of an excuse for a not very polished performance.

I enjoyed the show and will watch again for the rest of the week. There was a short glimpse of UC on an A330.

[Neil]

I think it would of been better to not be live at all. Making it more like the old "Airport" series or the recent "The Tube" series.

I get what you are saying, but I like the fact it was live and that the BBC are trying to do something a bit different. Of course it wasn't perfect but there are loads of pre-recorded fly on the wall type shows out there. Also the danger with those type of shows is they end up focusing on 'characters' and I can't imagine for one minute they would have shown the A380 being moved in to position with the brake rider (think that's what he was called). Okay, that wasn't ground breaking tv or information, but still kinda cool and interesting to see those things.

It will be interesting to see what else they are going to focus on, the issues with ATC is they couldn't really interact much, so I'm hoping there is going to be more interaction on the live elements.

Is it just me or could it be more than a coincidence that Heathrow gets the opportunity to use 4 hours of free primetime TV to show how busy it is in the same week that it publishes its case for a third runway?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22946496

Of course it wasn't perfect but there are loads of pre-recorded fly on the wall type shows out there.

And more to come! Soon will be one about how TfL manages London's roads. These sort of program's must either be popular or cheap!

Of course it wasn't perfect but there are loads of pre-recorded fly on the wall type shows out there.

And more to come! Soon will be one about how TfL manages London's roads. These sort of program's must either be popular or cheap!

They are popular but not cheap - as you need to film a heck of a lot to find the exciting bits (i.e. things going wrong) they put on the telly.

But back to Airport Live my issues were with the presenter(s) and not necessarily the content. Unfortunately she put me off watching the entire programme. From what I saw it was also rather bitty - here is some ATC, now lets tug an A380 and now some history of LHR, more ATC and here is how a plane flies - there wasn't really a narrative that people could follow i.e. lets follow a process from start to finish

And more to come! Soon will be one about how TfL manages London's roads. These sort of program's must either be popular or cheap!

Now if there was one on how Wandsworth Council (mis)manages roads I'd watch that. The state of things here make my blood boil ! .

Let's hope it's better tonight - will watch on catch up this time though.

Now if there was one on how Wandsworth Council (mis)manages roads I'd watch that. The state of things here make my blood boil ! .

Totally agree, Putney Hill and Putney Bridge alone are in an awful state.

I will still be checking out tonights Airport Live though.

[Darren Wheeler]

I do hope this leads to a return of the 'proper' Airport. One of the best fly-on-the-wall programmes ever. Knocked Airline into a cocked hat...

I do hope this leads to a return of the 'proper' Airport. One of the best fly-on-the-wall programmes ever. Knocked Airline into a cocked hat...

Just without any of the 'personalities' that these programmes seem to generate !

Now if they want to do an airline related programme the should do another one on Air Scotia ): ):

Lovely view of all the VS aircraft behind Kate Humble tonight.

Much, much better tonight. Far less hyperbole and more educational.

I really enjoyed the bit on maintenance, I couldn't believe they could just replace an engine so easily and the cost - £8mil! It's a wonder any of us can afford to fly with airlines facing costs like that. Really interesting.

[Neil]

Much, much better tonight. Far less hyperbole and more educational.

Again, I agree. Thought tonight's show way a vast improvement on last night, really interesting pre-recorded segments, that slotted in well to the live bits, which were much better than yesterday's programme.

[Darren Wheeler]

£8m but a few hours with RR and will be good as new and ready to be reused.

I had no idea I knew so much already, bet I learned a bit from V-Flyer.

I had no idea I knew so much already, bet I learned a bit from V-Flyer.

I'd say
I'm learning loads from V-flyer.
Hopefully I can contribute too some day soon
I will watch on catch up at weekend as too busy for tv this week
There's a sentence I never thought id say

I had no idea I knew so much already, bet I learned a bit from V-Flyer.

Snap

I've enjoyed the program, some bits I thought were a bit pointless for example the turnaround bit but then as someone else pointed out we may know more than the average viewer.