An easyJet flight from Malaga to London Gatwick was cancelled before take-off this week after cabin crew were notified that a passenger had died on board. The incident, occurring in the week leading up to December 23, 2025, has brought the sombre realities of air travel into sharp focus.
The Incident: A Tragic Start to a Journey
The passenger, an 89-year-old British woman, was reportedly seen ‘hunched over’ in the departures lounge. Some fellow travellers told media they believed she was ‘already dead’ as she was wheeled onto the aircraft by family members. However, both the airline and the Spanish Civil Guard firmly denied these claims.
In a statement, an easyJet spokesperson explained that the passenger had a valid medical certificate permitting her to fly and was being supported by medical personnel during boarding. ‘It was only after boarding the customer then required medical assistance and she sadly passed away,’ the spokesperson said.
How Common Are Deaths on Aircraft?
While deeply shocking for those present, medical deaths during flights are less rare than many assume. According to research published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, they occur at a rate of 0.21 per million passengers.
Based on the estimated 9.4 billion passengers who travelled by air in 2024, this statistic equates to approximately 1,974 deaths occurring on planes globally last year alone.
Separately, around 50,000 deceased bodies are transported on commercial flights annually. This is typically for repatriation after a death abroad or for burial or cremation in another country. While many full-service airlines offer this through cargo divisions, budget carriers often lack the specialised infrastructure.
Airline Protocol When a Passenger Dies Mid-Flight
Former flight attendant Lisa Hughes outlined the standard procedure. When a passenger falls seriously ill, crew first ask if any medical professionals are on board to assist. The cockpit is informed, and basic care like oxygen is administered from the emergency medical kit.
‘For serious conditions, the captain may decide to divert the flight to the nearest airport,’ Hughes told Metro. This decision is often made in consultation with ground-based medics via a dedicated communication line.
If a passenger passes away, protocols vary, but the crew will typically move the body to a more private area if possible—such as an empty row, a business class seat, or a crew rest area. The body is covered with dignity and kept out of view of other passengers.
Dr. Arnold Seid, medical director of Global Rescue, clarified: ‘There is no mandate to alter the flight path in the event of a death in flight.’ The decision rests with the captain, guided by airline policy and notification regulations for the destination.
The Complex Process of Transporting Human Remains
Transporting a body that has already died involves far more stringent regulations than an in-flight death. For repatriation to the UK, required documents usually include the deceased’s passport, a certified English translation of the foreign death certificate, authorisation to remove the body, an embalming certificate, and a burial transit permit.
Although not always a legal requirement, most airlines and border agents insist bodies are embalmed before international repatriation. Coffins, particularly wooden ones, must often be zinc-lined or hermetically sealed for safety and hygiene.
According to guidelines from carriers like American Airlines Cargo, remains must travel in a casket inside a specialised outer container called an airtray. All paperwork travels in a pouch on the outside of this container, not with family escorts. Remains are always transported in the aircraft’s cargo hold, not the passenger cabin.
Upon arrival, a local funeral home takes custody. ‘The receiving funeral home will come to transfer them into their care and execute the remainder of the family’s wishes,’ explained US funeral director Jeff Jorgenson.
The Significant Cost of Repatriation
The financial burden of repatriating a body is considerable. Costs vary by distance, coffin type, and sealing requirements, but typically range from £2,000 to £4,000. In some complex cases, airlines can charge up to £15,000 for the service.
The recent easyJet event is a stark reminder of the fragile human element within the complex logistics of global aviation, where airlines must be prepared for every eventuality, no matter how distressing.
