Veteran British Airways pilot dies after suffering heart attack in hotel shortly before he was due to captain flight from Heathrow to Cairo
- Veteran pilot was due to fly jet from Cairo to Heathrow when he died suddenly
- Passengers were unaware of the reason why their flight had been delayed
A British Airways pilot suffered a heart attack and died shortly before he was due to fly a plane full of holidaymakers back to the UK.
The unnamed pilot was getting ready to captain the flight from Cairo to Heathrow when he collapsed in the crew’s hotel.
The pilot managed to get from his room to the foyer, where colleagues performed CPR on him, but tragically they were unable to save him.
Airline bosses were forced to delay the scheduled Airbus A321 flight, with passengers unaware of the reasons behind their wait, The Sun reports.
A source told the newspaper: ‘It has rocked BA. It doesn’t bear imagining if he had suffered a heart attack at 30,000ft.’
The unnamed pilot was getting ready to captain the flight from Cairo to Heathrow when he collapsed in the crew’s hotel (stock image)
The veteran pilot had reportedly suffered from ill health in the months before his death.
His body was brought back to the UK in a Boeing 787, which was flown to Egypt especially as there was no room for the coffin in the hold of the jet he had been scheduled to fly.
Bosses at BA had the task of informing the pilot’s family of his sudden death.
BA said: ‘Our thoughts are with our colleagues’ friends and family at this very sad time.’
The company has been contacted for further comment.
