Three pilots on a British Airways flight from Hyderabad to London Heathrow were struck down with suspected food poisoning, causing chaos on the 10-and-a-half-hour journey. The incident occurred when one of the first officers became seriously ill while the aircraft was cruising at around 30,000 feet.
Pilot incapacitated mid-flight
The affected pilot was reportedly left incapacitated and required oxygen after falling ill. Despite also suffering symptoms, the two other pilots continued to operate the Boeing 777 safely until it landed at Heathrow. However, their condition worsened after landing, prompting all three to seek medical attention.
Internal investigation launched
British Airways stressed that flight safety was never compromised but has triggered an urgent internal investigation. The pilots had stayed at the same hotel in Hyderabad before the flight, where they shared breakfast and drinks in the lounge. They also drank bottled water supplied by an external company. All three submitted air safety reports and provided medical samples to identify the source of the suspected food poisoning.
Concerns over hotel hygiene
Sources said the case reignited concerns over hygiene standards at the hotel used by airline crews, with reports that pilots' union BALPA had previously raised numerous complaints about the accommodation. A British Airways spokesperson said: 'The welfare of our colleagues is a top priority and we are reviewing crew accommodation in this location following some isolated reports of sickness.'
The incident drew comparisons to the classic 1980 comedy film Airplane!, in which an entire flight crew is incapacitated by food poisoning. The real-life event has raised fresh questions about crew welfare and precautions to minimise the risk of multiple crew members becoming ill simultaneously.
