Immigration status check on internal flights

Just to let everyone know that after the London bombings you may now be asked about your immigration status when checking in for internal flights in the UK. This happened to an American friend who has just visited Northern Ireland from Bournemouth.

Since she doesn't have a British passport and her English driver's license doesn't have a picture, she always uses her US passport as photo ID. This time, for the first time ever, she was asked to clarify her immigration status at check in at both airports. Her ILR is stamped in the passport, so there wasn't a problem, but you might want to be sure that you're carrying appropriate documentation. I don't know if I would have had a problem with my American accent and photo Northern Ireland license.

Does this mean you're now required to bring your passport for internal flights?  Or would a British driver's license with picture do?
Seems a bit odd to check immigration status if you're not leaving the country!  They might as well setup roadblocks across the UK asking
for your status when driving.

Matt

It's not for immigration reasons, it's for extra security isn't it? It's been this way for a while too, I had to show my passport catching a flight to Scotland a couple of years ago.  They would accept other id (like a drivers license) as well. Just like when you get an Amtrak train in the US.  However, yes if you show a non UK passport they are bound to check your immigration status. 

However, yes if you show a non UK passport they are bound to check your immigration status. 

They never have in the past. My friend has been over a dozen times and has always used her US passport as photo ID. This is the first time she was ever asked about immigration status and it happened in both Bournemouth and Belfast.

I have a photo on my driver's license and use it to travel internally. I assume this will still be ok but am not sure that I won't encounter some hassle with my American accent.