Although the death of Queen Elizabeth II was announced this Thursday at 7:30 p.m., some were on planes or trains. In certain planes, in particular Easyjet or British Airways, two English companies, the pilots were informed of the disappearance of the queen thanks to the ACARS system (aircraft communication, addressing and notification system).
Through the ACARS system
This is a system that allows the exchange of information between pilots and the operational center of an airline sent by radio or satellite link.
The messages are primarily related to maintenance, in the event of a flight delay, or to notify ground personnel for handling connecting passengers. Sometimes, like this time, to announce important news.
“Ordinary” ACARS messages are daily and very often refer to information for the flight. Messages relating to “news” are rarer, recalls the journalist Arnaud Tousch.
passenger announcements
After receiving the news, many captains informed the passengers, as on this British Airways flight to London. One of the flight attendants bursts into tears.
Also on the train the announcement was made to the passengers. The Eurostar that connects Paris with London is its symbol. Many people filmed and posted the scene on social media.
The company apologizes in advance if its staff is not as smiling as usual.
Source: BFM TV
