A British Airways flight attendant was taken to hospital after passengers reported a strong unpleasant smell onboard a flight from the Dominican Republic to London Gatwick. The aircraft landed at Gatwick on Tuesday, and the crew member, who had complained of dizziness and nausea, was assessed by medical staff as a precaution.
Several passengers on the flight also said they felt unwell during the journey, though none required treatment. The source of the odour was believed to be towards the rear of the cabin, according to a passenger who spoke to The Sun. They described a “real worry” among those onboard, with fears that the smell might indicate carbon monoxide poisoning.
However, carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless, making it unlikely to be the direct cause of a noticeable smell. Fumes on aircraft can occur due to faulty heating systems or exhaust defects, and can be dangerous if inhaled. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, headaches and blurred vision.
Smell-related incidents on planes are relatively common, with fume or smoke events reported on average three times a day in the industry, according to CBS. Most are harmless, though a 2015 incident forced a plane to land after a particularly unpleasant odour was traced to a passenger's bowel movement.
Aviation regulators require certain aircraft types to be fitted with carbon monoxide alarms, and crew are trained to respond to such emergencies. In a separate case, a Delta passenger sued Boeing in 2025 after falling ill on a flight, citing concerns about cabin air quality.
