Three British Airways cabin crew members were rushed to hospital after consuming cannabis-laced gummies that were presented to them as a parting gift from a passenger. The incident occurred following a flight from London Heathrow to Los Angeles, where the unsuspecting staff ingested the sweets containing potent levels of THC.
Unwitting Consumption Leads to Hospitalisation
The crew members, who had just completed their duties on the transatlantic journey, ate the gummies while on the crew bus after landing at Los Angeles International Airport. According to sources, the tired staff gratefully accepted what they believed to be ordinary sweets, a common gesture of appreciation from passengers.
Immediate Onset of Severe Symptoms
Almost immediately after consumption, the affected crew began experiencing alarming symptoms. Three staff members who had consumed multiple gummies reported suffering "out-of-body" experiences, feeling completely out of control and becoming increasingly panicked and scared.
Their condition deteriorated rapidly, and by the time the group reached their crew hotel, medical intervention was necessary. The trio were subsequently transported to hospital for urgent treatment, where medics determined the sweets contained approximately 300mg of THC per piece.
Airline Response and Operational Impact
British Airways management responded swiftly to the incident, standing down the entire original crew and operating the return flight to Heathrow with a completely new team. The affected crew members were flown back to the UK days later as passengers on a separate service.
The airline has launched an investigation to identify the passenger who supplied the drugged sweets, with sources indicating the individual could face multiple police charges if located. British Airways emphasized that there is no suggestion any crew member knowingly consumed cannabis products, and no disciplinary action is being taken against the affected staff.
Serious Safety Implications
An industry source highlighted the potentially catastrophic consequences had the incident occurred differently. "Some people might find this incident amusing, but British Airways is treating it with utmost seriousness," the source explained. "If an entire crew became incapacitated at 30,000 feet after ingesting these substances, the outcomes are too grave to contemplate."
The source further noted that it was fortunate the gummies were consumed after landing rather than during the flight, preventing what could have been a major aviation safety incident.
Airline Statement and Recovery
British Airways provided an official statement regarding the incident: "A small number of our crew reported feeling unwell at their hotel and have since recovered fully. We deployed a replacement crew to operate the return flight, ensuring no disruption to our customer service."
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unexpected dangers crew members can face, even from seemingly innocent passenger gestures. Aviation authorities are likely to review protocols regarding crew acceptance of gifts from passengers following this alarming episode.
