What Happens If a Passenger Dies During a Flight?

Flying can be unnerving and stressful in the best of circumstances, but what happens when a passenger dies during the flight? What if the deceased passenger is in your row? Where do the flight attendants place the body? How often do people even die on planes? These are questions people might not consider until faced with the scenario. Let’s shed some light on this sometimes-taboo topic.

Do people actually die on a plane?

Yes, deaths on flights happen more frequently than people realize. But what exactly are the odds of dying on a plane due to a medical emergency?

How many people die on flights each year?

According to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, in-flight medical emergencies occurred at a rate of 18.2 incidents per million passengers globally in 2021. Most of these emergencies are successfully managed with positive outcomes. However, the same study found the mortality rate from in-flight medical emergencies to be 0.21 deaths per million passengers.

This means that in 2021, approximately 460 deaths occurred on planes, considering that 2.2 billion passengers flew that year. It’s worth noting that 2021 was a unique year for air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2023, the number of airline passengers had rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, reaching 4.6 billion.

What natural causes do people die from during flights?

Deaths that occur during flights are typically sudden, meaning the passenger did not have any prior condition suggesting the possibility of such an event. Common causes include pulmonary embolisms, cardiac arrests, and respiratory issues. Pulmonary embolisms occur when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the lungs, often presenting with sharp chest pain and difficulty breathing.

Women taking birth control pills are particularly at risk for such clots during flights. Cardiac arrests, which occur when the heart suddenly stops beating, are another common cause. This condition usually manifests with symptoms like chest pains, loss of consciousness, and irregular breathing. Respiratory issues, ranging from airway blockages to asthma attacks or complications from chronic pulmonary diseases, also account for in-flight deaths.

What happens if someone dies during a flight?

When a passenger dies mid-flight, airlines and flight crews follow established protocols. These protocols can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the death and the flight itself, such as its length, the type of aircraft, and the number of passengers on board. However, the first steps are always consistent. Flight crew members, who are trained in CPR, will attempt to resuscitate the passenger.

They will also make an announcement seeking assistance from any medical professionals onboard. Aircraft are equipped with emergency medical equipment, including EpiPens and defibrillators, which can sometimes save lives. If these measures fail, the crew must proceed with additional steps to handle the situation.

What does the crew do if someone dies on the plane?

If death is confirmed, the flight crew records the time of death. They then attempt to move the body to a secluded area, such as the crew rest area, the forward galley, or an empty row of seats. If these options are unavailable due to a full flight, the body remains in its seat, and the plane may divert to the nearest airport.

According to the IATA guidelines, CPR should be continued until one of the following occurs: spontaneous breathing resumes, continuing CPR becomes unsafe (e.g., during severe turbulence), rescuers are too exhausted, the aircraft has landed and care is transferred to emergency medical services, or 30 minutes of unsuccessful CPR have passed with no signs of life.

Once declared or presumed dead, the body is managed based on specific procedures. It may be placed in a body bag, secured with a seatbelt, and covered with a blanket if no body bag is available. The crew also collects contact information from the deceased passenger’s traveling companions. Upon arrival, family members stay with the body until the appropriate local authorities take over.

Can the plane continue to fly if there is a body onboard?

In some cases, flights continue to their destination despite having a deceased passenger onboard. For instance, a passenger flying from Sydney to Los Angeles died unexpectedly three hours into a 14-hour flight. The flight attendants attempted to revive him using a defibrillator, but their efforts were unsuccessful. His body was wrapped in plastic, secured with duct tape, and moved to the forward galley area, where it remained for the rest of the journey.

What happens after landing?

After landing, the body is handled by medical examiners or applicable local authorities, who notify the deceased passenger’s family. The airline typically sends a representative to visit the family in person, offer counseling, and assist with travel arrangements for relatives needing to attend the funeral or related services.

Are there legal repercussions for the airline?

Airlines can face legal consequences depending on the circumstances of a passenger’s death. Investigations are conducted to determine whether the airline and its crew followed proper protocols. Negligence, such as failing to announce a request for medical assistance, could result in lawsuits. In one notable case, the family of Shimon Breuer filed a wrongful death lawsuit against British Airways, claiming the crew failed to provide appropriate assistance when Breuer suffered an asthma attack mid-flight. The case is still ongoing.

Read also: Turkish Airlines Flight Diverts After Captain Dies Mid-Flight

Do airlines compensate passengers if someone dies during the flight?

Under EU regulations, airlines are only required to compensate passengers if the disruption is deemed to have been within the airline’s control. In most cases, if a death occurs suddenly and is handled properly by the crew, the airline does not owe compensation to other passengers. However, airlines may offer refunds or vouchers depending on how significantly passengers were affected. Immediate family members of the deceased may file claims through the airline’s insurance policies.

Deaths during flights are a rare but real possibility, and airlines have established comprehensive protocols to handle such situations with care and respect. From attempting resuscitation to managing the deceased with dignity, crews are trained to prioritize the safety and well-being of all onboard while preparing for the challenges such events bring.

Sources:

• Flight Delayed
• IATA
• Featured Image by BriYYZ

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’

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