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Queen Elizabeth's Martini Flights: Royal Travel Secrets
23 Jul
Summary
- Senior royals use chartered planes or RAF for official travel.
- Royals have flown commercial on British Airways and budget airlines.
- Queen Elizabeth had specific in-flight requests, including martinis.
Senior members of the British royal family, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, typically utilize chartered planes or official Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft for overseas tours and state visits. These arrangements prioritize security, scheduling flexibility, and logistical needs. However, there are instances where royals have traveled on commercial flights.
Prince William and Kate Middleton have flown commercial on multiple occasions, including with British Airways for their visit to India in 2016 and on Aer Lingus for their Irish tour in 2020. They have also used budget airlines like Flybe and EasyJet for personal travel.
Historically, Queen Elizabeth II, despite extensive air travel, rarely flew commercial. When she did, specific instructions were followed. Memorabilia revealed her preference for Velamints, her own pillows, and martinis, with crew instructed not to disturb her if she was asleep before landing.
An unofficial royal travel protocol also exists discouraging direct heirs from traveling together once children reach a certain age to protect the line of succession, though modern decisions are often made case-by-case.
