Airline protocol: Handling a death onboard flights
The cabin crew on airplanes must be prepared for various situations, even the most extreme ones. A certain flight attendant explains how to proceed in the event of a passenger's death during a flight. There are specific procedures for this.
The job of flight attendants is not only to serve meals but also to handle sudden situations, including cases of passenger death on board. As Jay Robert, an experienced cabin manager from a European airline and a former Emirates employee, explained in an interview with the BBC, in such situations, the crew must act quickly and according to the guidelines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Procedures in the event of a passenger's death
When a passenger is declared deceased, the crew informs the captain, who then notifies the destination airport of the need for appropriate services upon landing. The body should be moved to an empty seat and covered with a blanket or curtain, and the cabin lighting is dimmed.
If there are no empty seats on board, the body remains in its place but must not block aisles or emergency exits. If possible, a body bag is used, and if it is not available, the body is covered with a blanket up to the neck, and the deceased's eyes are closed.
Challenges for the crew
Jay Robert emphasizes that in large long-haul aircraft, the risk of passenger death is greater. More passengers, the inability to land quickly, and extended exposure to cabin pressure can lead to health problems. Although the crew is trained, it is not an easy task.
A 2013 study published in the "New England Journal of Medicine" showed that there is one medical case on board for every 604 flights. Among 10,914 passengers, 0.3% died, which translates to 36 deaths over three years, with 30 occurring during the flight.
