easyJet Passenger Death: Former Crew Reveals the Stark Reality of In-Flight

The recent distressing incident on an easyJet flight has brought the airline passenger death reality into sharp focus. The flight, EZY8070 from Malaga to London Gatwick, was delayed for 12 hours.

An 89-year-old British woman died before the aircraft departed. Passengers claimed the woman was already deceased when she boarded the flight. However, easyJet stated the customer was alive when boarding and had a medical 'fit to fly' certificate. The Malaga Civil Guard confirmed the death occurred on the aircraft prior to takeoff.

The Stark Reality of In-Flight Fatalities

A former Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member, Skye Taylor, shared her experience. She stated that in-flight medical emergency incidents, including deaths, happen more often than passengers realize. Taylor explained that crew members are trained in strict protocols for handling such sensitive situations.

She noted that a death on board is a horrific experience for the crew. Often, passengers are traveling home to pass away near family, but they do not make the journey. The crew's primary goal is to manage the situation with maximum dignity.

Industry Protocol and Diverting Flights

Commercial aviation follows clear, though often unpublicized, procedures for a passenger death protocol.

• Crew cannot declare death: Flight attendants are not medically qualified to pronounce a passenger deceased. They must continue life-saving efforts until a doctor or qualified professional confirms death.
• Medical Assistance: Crew members are trained in first aid and CPR. They often contact ground-based medical specialists for real-time guidance.
• Body Placement: The deceased is moved to an empty row or a designated area and covered with a blanket. This ensures privacy and respect for the individual.

If a death occurs before takeoff, the flight returns to the gate, as happened on the Malaga to Gatwick flight. If the death occurs mid-flight, the captain typically continues to the destination. Diverting an aircraft for a deceased passenger is considered unnecessary and costs "millions," according to Taylor. This decision is based on the fact that life-saving measures are no longer possible at 35,000 feet.

Global Aviation Guidelines and Impact

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) provides IATA death on board guidelines for carriers. These guidelines prioritize securing the deceased and ensuring dignity and privacy. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not have specific regulations, leaving the final decisions to the individual airlines.

Commercial aviation safety statistics show that in-flight deaths are rare relative to the volume of air travel. One medical assistance provider estimates only one death occurs for every 8 million passengers served. This highlights the high safety standards of the industry, even for medical emergencies.

• Key Takeaway: The incident underscores the vital importance of ground personnel clearly communicating passenger health concerns to cabin crew death training staff.
• Operational Impact: The incident caused a significant 12-hour delay for the easyJet flight, demonstrating the operational disruption even a pre-takeoff medical emergency can cause.

For more flight operation news and analysis on airline protocols, visit flying.flights.