Travel industry catches Royal Wedding fever
Only one night to go…and the excitement in the travel industry over the Royal Wedding is reaching fever pitch.
Heathrow has rolled out the red carpet to welcome almost a quarter of million passengers who are expected to pass through the airport over the next couple of days, Monarch and Luton Airport have launched a ‘spot a monarch’ competition and easyJet has announced the winners of its Will and Kate look-alike contest.
Heathrow will be giving arriving passengers the red carpet treatment, and handing them cups of Earl Grey tea, until Friday. Passengers will also have the chance to leave their own messages in wedding message books at the airport which will be sent to Clarence House.
Airport CEO Nick Cullensaid: "As Britain takes centre stage and tens of thousands of visitors descend on London, we want to ensure passengers get their own royal welcome as soon as they step off the plane."
Ryanair said it will carry 150,000 passengers over the next three days, 10% more than this time last year, with demand presumably coming as much from those wanting to make the most of the long weekend to escape the Royal Wedding as those flying into London for the event.
EasyJet has handed out a year’s worth of free flight to Simon Watkinson from London and Orsola Rossi from Milan, judged to be the most convincing William and Kate look-a-likes from across Europe.
I say, is that Will and Kate? Oh no, it’s Simon and Orsola
If you lost out to Simon and Orsola there’s still chance to win goodies in the ‘spot a Monarch’ competition. If you spot a good luck message on one of its eight royal wedding aircraft, take a photo and if yours is one of the best three you’ll get a prize.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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