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By JON BRADY
Published: | Updated:
A member of British Airways cabin crew was found dead in his hotel room during an American stopover, the airline has confirmed.
The male crew member had flown out to San Francisco from the UK on Tuesday, and had been staying in the Californian city before a shift on the return flight.
However, he failed to report for duty on Thursday after staying at the crew hotel. sparking concern from his colleagues.
After failing to raise him on the phone, hotel managers then unlocked the room, where they found him dead in his bed.
The BA 284 flight from San Francisco International Airport to London Heathrow was then cancelled, after being due to depart at 4.20pm on April 17.
Passengers were not told why the flight was cancelled, and were given hotel rooms while alternative arrangements were made.
Crewmates were reportedly too upset to fly after the grim discovery was made.
It was unclear how long he had lain undiscovered – and may have been there for as long as two days.
British Airways has confirmed a member of crew has died in American during a stopover between flights
The flight was cancelled, as was a return leg from Heathrow, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium
Pilots who had gone on ahead to the airport to prepare for the flight also returned to the hotel to comfort colleagues.
British Airways has confirmed that the man was a member of crew.
In a statement to the Sun, it said: ‘Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of our colleague at this difficult time.’
Sources told the newspaper: ‘There was no way the flight back from San Francisco could go ahead. Staff were in absolute bits at the sudden loss of their friend.
‘The steward was a popular member of the team and this came as a bolt from the blue.’
The flight, BA 284, involved an Airbus A380-800, which the airline says can carry up to 469 passengers across four classes.
The return journey, BA 285, from London to SFO, was also cancelled the next day after being due to depart London at 10.45am, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
BA, Marriott and local authorities in San Francisco were contacted for further comment.
Last year, a British Airways pilot aged 47 died during a stopover between flights on the Caribbean island of St Lucia.
The Senior First Officer had collapsed at a luxury hotel in front of shocked guests, according to contemporary reports.
His death meant that BA had to cancel a flight from Vieux Fort to London Gatwick.
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