Handling in‑flight fatalities: Challenges for cabin crew on long-haul flights
The cabin crew on aeroplanes must be prepared for various situations, even the most extreme ones. A particular flight attendant explains how to proceed in the event of a passenger's death during a flight. There are specific procedures for this.
Flight attendants serve meals and manage sudden situations, including passenger deaths on board. As Jay Robert, an experienced cabin manager from a European airline and former Emirates employee, explained in an interview with the BBC, in such circumstances, the crew must act swiftly and in accordance with the guidelines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Procedures in the event of a passenger's death
When a passenger is declared deceased, the crew informs the captain, who alerts the destination airport of the need for appropriate services upon landing. The body should be moved to an empty seat and covered with a blanket or curtain, and the cabin lighting should be dimmed.
If no empty seats are available, the body remains in its place but must not obstruct aisles or emergency exits. If possible, a body bag is used, and if it is unavailable, the body is covered with a blanket up to the neck, and the deceased's eyes are closed.
Challenges for the crew
Jay Robert emphasises that the risk of passenger death is more remarkable in sizeable long-haul aircraft. More passengers, no possibility of a swift landing, and prolonged exposure to cabin pressure can lead to health issues. Although the crew undergoes training, it is not an easy task.
A 2013 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that one medical case occurs on board every 604 flights. Among 10,914 passengers, 0.3% died, which equates to 36 deaths over three years, 30 of which occurred during the flight.
