Air travel

British Airways Chicago Flight Drops 28K Feet, Returns to Heathrow

Did British Airways display perfect safety protocols or does this mask a once great airline's collapse?

2 hours ago·Updated 1 hour ago

British Airways Chicago Flight Drops 28K Feet, Returns to Heathrow

Story

Above: A British Airways plane at Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 9. Image credit: Marcin Golba/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Facts

A British Airways flight from London to Chicago declared an emergency Monday and returned to Heathrow Airport after dropping roughly 28,000 feet (8,534 meters) within minutes while flying over Ireland, the airline said, citing a technical issue.
Firstpost
NBC
Flight BA295, a Boeing 777-200ER, departed Heathrow's Terminal 5 around 12.15 p.m. local time on a journey scheduled to take about eight hours and 40 minutes. It fell from a cruising altitude of about 36,000 feet to roughly 9,000 feet.
Sky News
Daily Mail
Shortly after beginning the steep descent, the crew transmitted a squawk 7700 code, the internationally recognized transponder signal alerting air traffic control to a general emergency. The code does not indicate the nature of the incident.
Daily Mail
Express
The aircraft turned back and spent around four hours zigzagging over the Bristol Channel, apparently burning off fuel to reduce weight, before landing at Heathrow just after 5 p.m. local time, according to flight tracking data.
Sky News
CBS News
The airline said the passengers, who reported oxygen mask deployment during the descent, "disembarked the aircraft normally" and that the company is "working to get their travel plans back on track as quickly as possible."
New York Post
USA Today
Under U.K. Civil Aviation Authority rules, passengers are likely to be placed in hotels until another flight is arranged. The incident followed air traffic control technical problems last month that led to delays and cancellations at U.K. airports.
New York Post
NBC

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

This crew was phenomenal in recognizing the problem, getting the jet down to breathable air fast and bringing everyone home without a scratch. A controlled emergency descent is proof the safety system works. Oxygen masks dropping and a safe return beat the alternative every single time, and the professionalism on display deserves credit rather than panic.

Firstpost

Sky News

Narrative B

While a safe landing is most important and this crew did well, a smooth landing doesn't wipe away an airline that charges premium fares for a bargain-bin experience. Record-low customer scores, refunds that drag on for months and food service shrinking by the year show a they're squeezing passengers while coasting on a famous name. Trust is built on the whole journey, not just the moment the wheels touch down safely.

Which.co.uk

American Spectator