Flight attendants are pretty much prepared for any kind of emergency that could happen on a plane - so what really happens if a passenger dies?
A former flight attendant has lifted the lid on what has to happen if a passenger were to pass away mid-flight and although the chances of it happening are pretty slim - around one in 40,000 - there is a protocol that takes place, and the pilot doesn't have to make an emergency landing if it was to happen. Lisa Hughes, 43, also shared some other secrets about what happens during an inflight emergency at 30,000 feet.
Airline crew are trained to be able to adapt to any situation that could take place while in the air, and the International Air Travel Association claim there is around one death per 40,000, although others argue this figure is closer to one in 200,000. Medical emergencies are a lot more common, with a study in the New England Journal of Medicine claiming there were one in 604 mid-flight emergencies.
Lisa, in collaboration with My Voyage Scotland, explained that if a passenger was to die on the flight, the crew would move the body to somewhere a little more private. The protocol "varies by airline" but most will move the body to either an empty row, business class seat or in the crew rest area.
The crew will also keep the dignity of the deceased passenger maintained as well as they can. This will be done by covering the body to make sure it's not in view of other passengers. Lisa added that the plane will continue to the destination. She explained that the authorities would then take over once landed and the airline would offer support to the family.
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Echoing this, the medical director of Global Rescue Dr Arnold Seid, told CN Traveller: "There is no mandate to alter the flight path in the event of a death in flight. The pilot must follow certain notification regulations, depending on the country and jurisdiction of the destination airport, as well as company protocol."
Aside from passenger deaths, Lisa also explained what happens when a passenger falls unwell on a flight. She said: "When a passenger falls ill during a flight, the crew immediately assesses the situation. We are trained in basic first aid and have emergency medical kits onboard.
"The first step is to ask if there are any medical professionals on the flight willing to assist. We also communicate with the cockpit to inform the captain of the situation. Depending on the severity, the crew may administer basic care, such as providing oxygen, medication, or other first aid measures."
The crew and captain will also make a call as to whether the flight will need to be diverted if the passenger needs hospital attention immediately but each airline will have their own protocol for this. They will decide the best course of action while in communication with medical professionals on the ground.
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