BA flight chaos as pilots undergo mid-air meals poisoning after India cease off
A British Airways flight from Hyderabad to London Heathrow descended into chaos after all three pilots were struck down with suspected food poisoning mid-flight
Three pilots came down with food poisoning at the same time(Image: Getty)
A British Airways flight was thrown into disarray after all three pilots were simultaneously struck down by food poisoning. The incident unfolded on a 10-and-a-half-hour flight from Hyderabad, India to London Heathrow, when one of the first officers fell seriously ill while the plane was cruising at approximately 30,000 feet.
The pilot was reportedly left “incapacitated” and needed oxygen after becoming unwell mid-flight. Despite also experiencing symptoms, the aircraft’s two other pilots managed to safely operate the Boeing 777 until it touched down at Heathrow.
However, their condition allegedly deteriorated upon arrival in the UK, leading all three crew members to seek medical help. British Airways has emphasised that flight safety was never jeopardised, but the incident has sparked an immediate internal investigation, reports the Express.
Two pilots were able to work, but their condition worsened after landing(Image: Getty)
Reports suggest that the pilots had stayed at the same hotel in Hyderabad prior to the flight, where they had breakfast and drinks in the lounge. They also consumed bottled water provided by an external company.
All three pilots filed air safety reports following the incident and were asked to give medical samples in an attempt to pinpoint the source of the suspected food poisoning.
Sources have indicated that the case has reignited worries over hygiene standards at the hotel used by airline crews, with claims that pilots’ union BALPA had previously lodged numerous complaints about the accommodation.
In response, British Airways has confirmed that it is reassessing the hotel arrangements for crew members staying in Hyderabad.
A representative for the airline stated: “The welfare of our colleagues is a top priority and we are reviewing crew accommodation in this location following some isolated reports of sickness.”
The peculiar incident has drawn parallels with the iconic 1980 comedy film Airplane!, where an entire flight crew is struck down by food poisoning after consuming contaminated fish.
Although the situations are vastly different, the real-life event has sparked renewed concerns about crew welfare and the measures airlines implement to reduce the risk of multiple flight crew members falling ill simultaneously.
