GRANDER- A Virgin Atlantic (VS) flight from Miami (MIA) to London Heathrow (LHR) made an emergency landing in Canada (YQX) after a passenger went into cardiac arrest mid-flight.
This follows another Virgin Atlantic (VS) flight from London (LHR) to Mumbai (BOM) that was also forced to land unexpectedly in Turkey (DIY) due to a medical issue last month.
Virgin Atlantic Emergency Landing in Canada
Virgin Atlantic Flight VS118, operating from Miami (MIA) to London Heathrow (LHR), declared a medical emergency while flying at 38,000 feet over the North Atlantic. The incident occurred on May 24 when a male passenger suffered a cardiac arrest.
Cabin crew on board the Airbus A330 used a defibrillator and administered CPR for 30 minutes before the aircraft diverted to Gander International Airport (YQX), Canada. Emergency medical services met the aircraft on arrival, and the passenger was successfully revived.
Following a refueling stop, Flight VS118 resumed its journey at 7:11 a.m. local time and landed at London Heathrow (LHR) at 2:52 p.m.
A Virgin Atlantic (VS) spokesperson confirmed the diversion, emphasizing that the safety and well-being of passengers and crew are the airline’s top priority.
The VS118 was operated by a 9.5-year-old Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registered as G-VDIA.
Similar Incident
In a separate incident, on April 3, 2025, Virgin Atlantic Flight VS358 from London Heathrow (LHR) to Mumbai (BOM) was forced to land at Diyarbakir Airport (DIY), Turkey, due to a passenger experiencing a severe panic attack.
The aircraft, an Airbus A350 registered G-VTEA, reportedly encountered a technical issue during landing.
The diversion left over 200 passengers stranded at Diyarbakir Airport (DIY), a remote military facility with limited civilian amenities and infrastructure.
Passengers reported being stuck for over 16 hours with minimal information, inadequate facilities, and no ability to leave the airport due to military restrictions.
Under international aviation agreements like the Montreal Convention, airlines are required to provide food, water, accommodations, and timely updates during prolonged disruptions. However, compliance becomes complex when diversions occur at non-standard airports with limited services.
Reports suggest Virgin Atlantic (VS) issued limited communication to passengers affected in Diyarbakir. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured support, and India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation appointed a nodal officer to manage assistance and coordinate relief efforts.
Passengers criticized the airline for not arranging accommodations and failing to communicate consistently during the delay.
Both incidents disrupted passenger travel plans and highlighted operational challenges airlines face during in-flight medical emergencies, especially at remote or underserved airports.
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