What happens when a passenger dies on a long flight over the ocean?

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uknative

I understand that each airline has its own procedures and many refuse to 'go public' with exactly what those procedures are. This, however, is from the site below: 'When there is a death aboard a flight, the general procedure is to move the deceased to an area of the cabin where they can be isolated to some extent and covered in as dignified a way as possible," said Tim Smith, a spokesman for American Airlines. ........While the pilot has the option of diverting the plane after someone has died, often the flight continues on to its destination.' It goes on to talk about a case of someone who had recently died during flight, ' ..........her body was covered with a blanket and placed on the floor in first class. Other passengers were moved to seats farther away. Friends and family of employees who were flying at a discounted rate were seated closest to the body, Smith said. The plane continued on to New York, even though it could have put down in Miami.' (Don't think I'd want the extra meal - doubt if I'd finish my own! May need an extra G & T though!).

Bunny

this happened - guy was made to sit next to dead body for long haul flight and when he asked for his money back he was refused - was only in the last couple of years!

Guy was called paul trinder and he was in first class and lady who died had been in economay and they moved her body to first class to spare seat ( was on BA flight)

Badger Boise

Each airline has its own guidelines as what to do in such a case. There are of course, variations in procedures just as there are differences in the type of aircraft being utilized. It is up to the Flight Attendants to decide on what to do the the deceased. If there happen to be empty seats elsewhere on the aircraft, either the adjacent passengers will be asked to relocate or the deceased will be moved. Safety rules prevent placing the remains in an aisle or in an area such as a galley where there is an emergency exit. Each incident has to be handled by the current availability of space on the flight. A full passenger load of course would restrict the options.

Cymraes.

I'm glad to say they have an area away from the passengers for such events. I don't think I'd ask for his food. Aeroplane food isn't that good. If I ate two of them, I'd probably end up laying next to the dead person.

knowitall

I have been on 3 flights where they have actually asked if there was a doctor on board...not sure what happened to the ill person...but we got priority landings..

Jonathan

People would just think he was dead tired...

delilahKNOWSwhy

i bet they do that movie thing and shout out 'is anyone a doctor? we need a doctor!!' just before he pops his clogs.

karen b

this happened not so long ago.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1803024/posts

Knownow't

I suppose they would move the person into a galley area, or doorway area and divert to the nearest airport. I wouldn't want an extra meal....that may have been the cause.

ceskazbrovka32

Usually people die while waiting in the security line before the long flight. If they die during the flight they would probably be charged with creating a disruption on an airline. They would be arrested and held forever at an undisclosed location.

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