Three British Airways pilots suffer food poisoning mid-flight, one needs 12-hour surgery

Three British Airways pilots fell ill with food poisoning mid-flight to Heathrow after a stopover in India. One was incapacitated and later required a 12-hour operation.

Brit Brief 23/07/2026 00:32

Three British Airways pilots suffer food poisoning mid-flight, one needs 12-hour surgery — BA pilots food poisoning mid-flight, one needs 12-hour surgery

Three British Airways pilots simultaneously suffered food poisoning mid-flight. The pilots were on board a British Airways flight to Heathrow when they fell ill after a stopover in India.

Pilot incapacitated at 30,000 feet

The first pilot was incapacitated at 30,000 ft and required oxygen. The two other pilots continued to operate the aircraft but their symptoms worsened. British Airways said passenger safety was not compromised.

One pilot required surgery

One of the pilots required serious medical care upon landing. The Sun reported that the pilot underwent a 12-hour operation after being taken to hospital. The pilots had shared breakfast in a hotel lounge in Hyderabad but drank bottled water from an external company.

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The pilots all filed Air Safety Reports and were asked to provide samples so doctors could try to pinpoint the source. British Airways are now reviewing their hotel options.