British Airways has responded following reports that a deceased passenger was left unattended in a galley for approximately 13 hours during a flight. The woman, aged in her 60s, passed away an hour after the flight departed from Hong Kong to London Heathrow on an Airbus A350-1000. Despite the unfortunate incident, the pilots chose to continue the journey, leading to complaints from passengers about an unpleasant odor emanating from the area.
An undisclosed source disclosed to The Sun that both the family accompanying the deceased woman and the flight crew were distressed by the situation. Several passengers expressed a desire to return to Hong Kong, although the airline did not treat the passenger’s death as an emergency.
According to a British Airways spokesperson cited by Express, the airline expressed condolences to the deceased passenger’s relatives and friends, assuring that proper procedures were followed. The source further revealed that the flight crew initially suggested storing the body in a lavatory, but this proposal was rejected. Instead, the body was wrapped and relocated to a galley at the rear of the aircraft.
By the end of the flight, a foul smell had permeated the galley due to its heated flooring. Upon landing in the UK, authorities conducted an investigation, delaying passengers for 45 minutes in their seats. Discussions took place regarding handling the deceased passenger, with the crew opting to isolate the body, wrap it securely, and transfer it to the rear galley to contain the situation.
Instances of deaths during flights are infrequent, as reported by a study in 2013 cited by the BBC. Most airlines adhere to guidelines set by the International Air Transport Association on managing in-flight passenger fatalities. The guidelines stipulate that in the event of a presumed death, the deceased passenger’s eyes should be closed, and if available, placed in a body bag. If a body bag is not accessible, covering the body up to the neck with a blanket is advised, while ensuring the deceased is situated away from other passengers if possible.
