An Air Canada flight bound for Toronto was forced to return to Heathrow Airport on Saturday after declaring a mid-air emergency shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 777-300ER, operating as flight AC853, departed at 08:34 BST and had climbed to 34,000 feet before the crew issued a Squawk 7700 code—an international distress signal—less than an hour into the journey.
According to flight tracking data, the aircraft abandoned its transatlantic crossing and executed a controlled turn back towards London, descending from cruising altitude around 09:15 BST. Emergency teams at Heathrow were placed on standby as the plane approached, and landings on the south runway were briefly suspended.
The aircraft touched down safely on runway 27L at approximately 10:02 BST, taxiing to the gate under escort from emergency vehicles. Passengers were returned to the terminal without any reported injuries. Air Canada has not yet confirmed the cause of the alert, but such incidents can be triggered by technical faults or medical emergencies.
The airline has since rescheduled the affected service, with an alternative departure planned later that morning. A thorough review of the incident is now underway, with further details expected from both Air Canada and Heathrow officials.
