Summary

  • British Airways flight G-TTNB was intercepted by RAF Typhoons in a loud training exercise, alarming nearby residents.
  • This interception was part of a routine Quick Reaction Alert team training.
  • The twin-engine Typhoons demonstrated exceptional performance as they safely escorted the airliner back to Heathrow.


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British citizens in the London area experienced a bit more noise than anticipated for a typical Friday night on November 17, 2023. Those trying to close out their workweek with a quiet night in were startled by the roar of fighter jets overhead in the late evening.

Reports have emerged that a British Airways Airbus A320 was intercepted by a pair of Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons, creating a few hours of intimidating racket, but there ultimately was nothing to fear — the event was a standard, albeit loud training exercise, and it’s safe to say that the “mission” was accomplished.


British Airways flight takes off as ’emergency’ target

Shortly after 21:00 BST, a British Airways Airbus A320neo, registration G-TTNB, departed London Heathrow Airport under the special callsign “CHARIOT.” Aviation enthusiasts may have been slightly confused while tracking the nearly 6-year-old jet, typically used on commercial routes, which became the target of a dramatic interception.

Flight pattern map above the UK

Photo: Flightradar24 

According to reporting from Aviation Source News, moments after taking off, two RAF Typhoon fighter jets began tailing the G-TTNB. These Typhoons are part of the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) team, with RAF pilots and advanced military aircraft ready to take action and assist in emergencies at any time of day. In the event of, say, a hijacking, this squadron would be deployed to respond as quickly as possible.

UK airspace luckily doesn’t encounter too many immediate emergencies, but the QRA team is constantly training to ensure no mistakes are made when a real one arises. Such was the case for a Jet2 Airbus A321 which was escorted to London Stansted, a designated airport for dealing with terror threats and hijackings, after a bomb threat in October 2022.

Learn how RAF Typhoons scrambled twice within 24 hours to intercept Russian military aircraft in June 2023 here.

A security exercise was certainly the case for the exciting interception civilizations were hearing from the ground. As the G-TTNB headed north towards Norfolk, the roaring jets made a beeline for the simulated emergency target.

Typhoons escort G-TTNB back to Heathrow

It is assumed no passengers were on the British Airways flight itself, but the G-TTNB is often used to transport passengers between London and other parts of Europe. These destinations typically include locations like Iceland, Spain, and Italy, but flight history from Flight Aware indicates it has been used on routes as far as Jordan as well.

Flight pattern map above the UK for Typhoon 1

Photo: Flightradar24 
 

The two RAF Typhoons involved were WOLF0011 and WOLF0012, according to Aviation Source News. Data from Flightradar24 displays a dazzling zig-zag flight pattern over the course of about two hours, reaching as far north as Boston and east of Great Yarmouth before heading back to Heathrow.

The actual scenario for the training exercise has not been made public, but per protocol, the Typhoon pilots played out an interception and escort procedure as if CHARIOT were a real hostage situation.

Flight pattern map above the UK

Photo: Flightradar24

The incredibly quick and agile twin-engine Typhoons demonstrated exceptional performance as they maneuvered around the G-TTNB. After visually confirming the target, they took up escort positions off the airliner’s wings. Finally, in the climax of the training mission, the three planes touched down safely back at Heathrow.

Civilian reactions show the training did not go unnoticed

Earlier that evening, the team behind the Heathrow Runways X account posted an announcement alluding to potential disruptions from the events to come:

”Heathrow is taking part in a planned training exercise this evening, involving government and industry partners. Residents may notice some additional noise at the airport related to aircraft involved in the exercise. We would like to apologize in advance for any inconvenience.”

The simulation certainly did not go unnoticed as those on the ground wondered what the commotion was about.

“Just passed over east London,” wrote X user @cristofatkinson, in the comment section of a post about the even from the @FlightEmergency X account. “I wondered what that noise was.”

“Just passed over us in Lowestoft,” X user @thespudman_one added.

The dramatic emergency simulation provided excellent inter-agency training for the pilots, British Airways, and Heathrow Airport. Though hopefully never needed, the RAF must constantly hone its ability to respond instantly to threats in UK airspace. When real lives are at stake, there is no room for error.

Source: Flightradar24, Aviation Source News

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