​British Airways Dishes Out Free Southgate Waistcoats For Customers Flying To Moscow

While most of us will be plonking ourselves in front of a screen for the big game between England and Croatia tonight, there are a dedicated few that are actually making the trek over to Russia to see the action unfold IRL.

Boarding its last few customers on the early flight to Moscow this morning, British Airways staff got into the spirit of things ahead of the semi-final game.

Signs at Heathrow's Terminal 5 showed excited customers where to 'ChecK-ane' (see what they did there?!) for the 8.45am flight, before they were offered free Marks and Spencer waistcoats so that they could channel their inner Gareth Southgate.

Anyone not content with their free England flags, staff were also ready to paint people's faces with the St George's cross.

And because BA were clearly really going for it, customers were also given boarding passes with customer name 'Football' and destination 'Home', which we'd imagine might fetch a bob or two on eBay should England come out triumphant.

The action didn't stop in the airport, either, as the aircraft destined for Russia had been kitted out with bunting, and customers began chanting - because if there's one thing Brits are good at, it's chanting

Many of the dedicated fans are heading to Moscow solely to watch the match, and will be headed back on flights tomorrow.

Customer Dean Lovett, who was checking in, said: "It's going to be really tight when I get there.

"I've got to collect my ticket and head to the stadium. I'm then flying home through the night for a meeting at 1pm the next day. I'll have no time for sightseeing."

PA

Will Kumar, who was also dashing to the 8.45am departure, said: "After the second goal on Saturday I texted my wife and said, 'I'm going', and that's when the planning started.

"I can't go back for the final though, I've used up all my credits with my wife."

We imagine if - sorry when - England get through to the final, BA and other companies will have to up their game even more.

Both Aldi and Lidl have already vowed to close stores early so that staff can watch the big game, while many are petitioning for a national bank holiday if football does, indeed, come home...

Topics: SPORT, Football News, UK News, Russia 2018, Football, World Cup news, Gareth Southgate, World Cup, UK

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman