British Airways pilots fell ill with food poisoning following a layover, with one pilot becoming incapacitated. The crew had a meal together at a hotel lounge in Hyderabad, India, and consumed bottled water purchased from an external vendor. During the subsequent 10.5-hour flight to London Heathrow, one pilot required oxygen due to severe illness, while the other two pilots also experienced worsening symptoms upon arrival in the UK.
Despite the incident, British Airways assured that passenger safety was not compromised during the flight. However, reports from the pilots’ union, Balpa, indicated dissatisfaction with the hygiene standards at the £130-per-night hotel. The affected pilots submitted Air Safety reports and provided samples for medical analysis to determine the exact source of the illness. British Airways is evaluating alternative accommodation options in Hyderabad.
In response to the situation, British Airways stated that crew welfare is a primary concern and mentioned plans to review accommodation arrangements at the location. An investigation has been launched, with the airline emphasizing that the safety of both passengers and crew remains paramount and was not jeopardized at any point during the incident.
