Queen Elizabeth's Coffin Transport Became the Most Tracked Flight in History

Queen Elizabeth's Coffin Transport Became the Most Tracked Flight in History

BY ADAM SCHUPAK Published on September 15, 2022 3 COMMENTS

On the afternoon of September 8, 2022, the longest reigning monarch of England, her majesty Queen Elizabeth II, died peacefully at one of the British Family's estates at Balmoral in Scotland.

 

 

While her successor, then-Prince Charles (now King Charles III), headed back to London to commence his new duties as King of the United Kingdom, the Queen's coffin remained in Scotland, traveling from Balmoral to Edinburgh via Motorcade. The monarch's last flight took place on Tuesday, bringing the coffin back to London. 

 

A Somber Return 

 

After remaining in Scotland for three days, the Queen's coffin was loaded onto a Royal Air Force (RAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III and transported to RAF Northolt just outside of London. 

 

The Queen's would continue its journey from RAF Northolt to Buckingham Palace and Westminster in London. 

 

A Boeing C-17A  Globemaster III  similar to this one transported the Queen on her final flight | Photo: Jack Jarzynka

 

 

 

 


 

The Most Tracked Flight 

 

The flight from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to RAF Northolt (NHT) took one hour and 12 minutes. Despite this short duration, the flight became the most tracked flight in history, with flight tracking website Flightradar24 registering a total of 5 million people following (tracking) the flight during its journey south from Scotland. 

 

The flight path the Queen took on her final flight | Photo: Flightradar24.com 

 

 AeroXplorer is on Telegram! Subscribe to the AeroXplorer Telegram Channel to receive aviation news updates as soon as they are released. View Channel 
Adam Schupak
Hey there! I'm Adam, a passionate avgeek absolutely obsessed with everything that flies. I'm a student glider pilot, but have the ultimate ambition of become a commercial airline pilot. Besides aviation, I'm also passionate about urban design, civil engineering, and trains.

Comments (3)

John Ward But, no where in this story is a figure mentioned! I think I remember something like 135,000, but, I might be way off!
1202d ago • Reply
Adam Schupak 5 million people tracked the flight throughout her final jounrey
John Ward Duh! None so blind as those that cannot see! And, as a matter of interest....I was WAY OFF the mark!
1202d ago • Reply

Add Your Comment

SHARE

TAGS

NEWS Queen's Death Queen Queen Elizabeth United Kingdom Aviation Breaking Newsnews Boeing Boeing C-17 C-17

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

Alaska Airlines and LATAM Formally Dissolve Codeshare Partnership Marking the end of an era in Pan-American aviation, Alaska Airlines has officially terminated its nearly decade-old codeshare and loyalty partnership with LATAM Airlines Group. The split, finalised in a formal filing to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on December 29, 2025, follows a phased winding down of reciprocal benefits that began earlier in the autumn. NEWS READ MORE »
Global Drone Wingman Programs Accelerate Toward Critical 2026 Milestones as Competition Intensifies The race to field operational autonomous "loyal wingman" drones is accelerating into overdrive as 2026 approaches, with the United States Air Force poised to make critical production decisions, Australia demonstrating combat capabilities with live weapons, and rival programs in Europe and Asia rapidly maturing. NEWS READ MORE »
Qatar Airways Cargo to Re-Center Operations at Doha International Airport In a major tactical pivot aimed at optimising hub efficiency, Qatar Airways Cargo has confirmed plans to reinstate freighter operations at Doha International Airport (DIA), the city’s "old" aviation gateway, beginning in the second quarter of 2026. INFORMATIONAL READ MORE »


SHOP

$2999
NEW!AeroXplorer Aviation Sweater Use code AVGEEK for 10% off! BUY NOW

FOLLOW US ONLINE