As anyone with a pulse by now knows, there were 21 arrests in the UK today regarding a terror plot to blow up aircraft in flight between London and the US. Apparently the plot involved liquid explosives in carry-on luggage. Hence carry-ons have been banned. The carriers were all American flag carriers that use Heathrow.

You don't want to be flying for a while. And if you're planning to fly internationally in the near future, here's just one more reason to choose a non-US carrier. This is a notice on the BA website:

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British Airways, along with all other airlines, is experiencing major disruption to its operations at London Heathrow today, Thursday 10 August , because of the severe airport congestion, following the introduction of new security arrangements.

All British Airways shorthaul (UK and European) inbound and outbound flights to and from London Heathrow up until 3pm (BST) this afternoon are cancelled.

Any customers, both longhaul and shorthaul, who do not need to travel to or from London Heathrow today are advised to stay at home.

It is likely that there may be a number of longhaul cancellations from London Heathrow during the day.

British Airways flights at Gatwick and flights operated by the airlineтАЩs regional subsidiary BA Connect, are continuing to operate albeit with delays.

Passengers are advised to check the latest real-time information for your flight (for today and up to 5 days in advance) please click here.

British Airways has put a policy in place which outlines re-booking options and procedures for customers affected by this flight disruption.
To view this policy please click here

Customers due to depart from UK airports who do not wish to travel today or tomorrow or are due to travel on cancelled flights can rebook up until 1 December , 2006 or obtain a refund.

NOTE:
If your flight has been cancelled you may be able to use the online 'Manage My Booking' functionality to change or refund your booking.
Customers with the following types of ticket will not be able to re-book or refund online:

Paper ticket
An exec club redemption ticket
If there are any other carriers in the booking
Tickets with more than 6 passengers
Bookings that include any open sectors
If there is an unaccompanied minor in the booking
If it is a journey involving connecting through an intermediate airport
If you made your booking through a travel agent you will not be able to get a refund online but should contact your travel agent
To access Manage My Booking click here

Customers in the UK can call a special freephone number тАУ 0800 727 800

The traffic situation on all approaching roads to London Heathrow is also extremely congested and any customers thinking of flying from the airport are advised to leave plenty of time for their journeys.


More information

Passengers who do decide to travel from any UK airport, may only take through the airport security search point, the following items:

Travel documents essential for the journey (eg passports, tickets and visas)
Pocket sized wallets and pocket sized purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards and identity cards). Handbags are not permitted.
Prescribed medicines essential for the duration of the flight, except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
Contact lenses, without bottles of solution
For those traveling with an infant: baby food, milk and sanitary items essential for the flight.
Keys (but no electrical key fobs).
Every other item must be carried in customerтАЩs hold luggage.

For clarity, passengers are advised that no electrical or battery powered items including laptops, mobile phones, ipods, remote controls etc can be carried in the cabin and must be checked in as hold baggage.https://lfn.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/lfn.cf ... faqid=2350