Passengers aboard a Jet2 flight from Tenerife to Birmingham were left in shock when the pilot suffered a suspected heart attack, prompting an emergency landing in Porto. The incident, which involved Flight LS1266 carrying 220 passengers, led to a sudden drop in altitude as the first officer took control of the aircraft.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos on the plane, with stewardesses frantically seeking medical assistance and passengers, including children, distressed by the emergency landing. Following a successful landing in Porto, emergency services quickly responded to assist the pilot.
Passengers reported being stranded in Portugal for over 13 hours without accommodation, expressing sympathy for the pilot’s situation. Jet2 arranged for a pilot to fly from Manchester to Porto to bring the passengers back home, offering them the option to change to a free Jet2 flight to various UK destinations.
Jet2 confirmed the diversion of Flight LS1266 due to the pilot falling ill but assured that safety was not compromised, and passengers were able to continue their journey. The airline apologized for the unforeseen delay and stated that they would assist customers with any further concerns.
