A British Airways flight attendant, 52, died in front of passengers on a New Year’s Eve flight from London, England’s Heathrow Airport to Hong Kong.
The plane was preparing to depart, with passengers seated and doors locked, when the crew member collapsed in the rear galley.
The pilot urgently requested medical assistance, and a passenger with first aid training attempted to resuscitate the attendant. Despite efforts by local police and medical crews who arrived at the scene, the flight attendant did not survive.
The incident resulted in the cancellation of the December 31, 2023, flight. Passengers were informed of a “medical emergency” and were rebooked onto another flight the following day.
A British Airways spokesperson expressed the airline’s condolences: “Our thoughts are with our colleague’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
This is the second time a British Airways crew member has died within the last couple of weeks. On December 23, 2023, a British Airways steward, also 52, was found dead in his hotel room in Newark, New Jersey, during a layover.
The discovery led to the cancellation of the scheduled flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to London Heathrow, with passengers rebooked on later flights, and the steward’s colleagues returned to London as passengers.
Sources said neither crew member was believed to have any underlying health issues. An anonymous source connected to the airline commented on the emotional state of the crew, stating, “Crew are frantic. These were two healthy people who suddenly died. It has been a traumatic festive period for BA’s flying team. Everyone is deeply upset.”
In a statement to AeroTime, British Airways reiterated its condolences and acknowledged the impact of these incidents on the families and colleagues of the deceased.