A British Airways A-380 aircraft had to be diverted to Vancouver after cabin crew reported feeling unwell.

A British Airways A-380 aircraft had to be diverted to Vancouver after cabin crew reported feeling unwell.
Photo Credit: CBC

British Airways flight makes emergency landing in Vancouver with 25 ill crew

A British Airways passenger plane on its way from San Francisco to London made an emergency landing in Vancouver late Monday after two dozen cabin crew members became unwell.

Flight BA286, carrying about 400 passengers on board the Airbus A380, was surrounded by emergency vehicles shortly after it touched down at Vancouver International Airport around 11:30 p.m. PT.

Twenty-five crew members were sent to three area hospitals. Initial reports had suggested smoke inhalation, but officials have yet to confirm this.

“The flight from San Francisco diverted to Vancouver after members of the cabin crew became unwell,” said a statement from the company.  “The cabin crew were checked as a precaution at local hospitals before being discharged.”

The British Airways ground team at Vancouver has arranged hotel accommodation for the customers and will book them on alternative flights as soon as possible, said the statement.

Passenger Steve Lowy told CBC News about two hours into the flight the crews started quickly clearing away dinner.

“They suddenly cleared the trays away, and said that we were going to do a landing in Calgary due to the fact that there was a technical issue with the plane and a number of the cabin staff weren’t feeling well.”

Then the pilot announced because the plane was an A380 — the largest commercial passenger jet in the world — it could not land in Calgary and would be diverted to Vancouver instead, he said.

With files from CBC News

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