A long-haul flight turned grim on March 15, when a British Airways flight from Hong Kong to London saw a 60-year-old woman die about an hour after takeoff. The plane continued to Heathrow, and the crew had to decide how to handle the body.
Attempts to lock it in a restroom were rejected, so the body was wrapped and placed in a rear galley. Unfortunately, the heated floor caused an unpleasant odor toward the end of the 13-hour flight.
After landing, passengers stayed on board for 45 minutes while police investigated. British Airways confirmed the death, expressing condolences to the family and saying all procedures were followed.
Ben Vos of Schiphol Mortuary explained that at airports, specialized vehicles discreetly handle such cases to avoid public exposure.