Brits flock to California for Jacko memorial

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have reported surging demand for flights to California as British fans of Michael Jackson scramble to pay their respects.

The 50-year-old superstar died unexpectedly of a heart attack a fortnight ago, just weeks before the start of his hotly anticipated comeback tour at London's O2 Arena.

And with fans still reeling from the disappointment, TMZ.com now reports that thousands of Brits have booked flights to Jacko's home-state to mark his passing.

A star-studded memorial service – which is being held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles later today (July 7) – will only be open to 17,500 people who won passes. But that hasn't stopped ticketless British fans from descending on the region in their droves.

"People are trying to get there, even if they don't get there in time. They want to catch the atmosphere and to be part of it," BA spokesman Philip Allport told The Daily Mail.

Virgin Atlantic representative Paul Charles added: "Undoubtedly there are lots of people going out there ... I think this is America's version of Princess Diana. People want to be in the vicinity; people from the UK and elsewhere want to share their emotions together."

Entertainment website TMZ.com, which first broke the news of Jacko's death, described the situation as a "British invasion," with flights to LA, San Francisco and Denver all fully booked.

The official memorial will include performances by Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder, and is expected to attract a global television audience of more than 300 million. Jackson's relatives will attend a "private family function" shortly before the service.

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