Spain to UK Ryanair flight diverted after passenger suffers heart attack

A Ryanair flight en route from Spain to the United Kingdom was forced to make an emergency diversion after a passenger on board suffered a heart attack mid-flight. The incident took place on a routine flight operated by the Irish low-cost airline, highlighting once again the importance of onboard medical preparedness and the efficiency of emergency response systems in modern air travel.

The Incident

The flight, which departed from Alicante–Elche Airport in southeastern Spain and was scheduled to land at London Stansted Airport, was progressing normally until about halfway through its journey when a medical emergency was declared. According to passengers on board, the aircraft had reached cruising altitude when a male passenger began experiencing symptoms consistent with a heart attack.

Cabin crew quickly sprang into action after being alerted by nearby passengers. Using the onboard public announcement system, the crew asked if there were any medical professionals on the flight. Fortunately, a nurse who happened to be among the passengers stepped forward to assist the stricken traveler. She, along with the flight attendants, provided immediate first aid while the pilot contacted air traffic control to report the emergency and request a diversion to the nearest suitable airport.

Emergency Diversion

Upon receiving approval from air traffic controllers, the aircraft was rerouted to Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport in southwestern France. The diversion was handled swiftly and efficiently, with the aircraft descending and landing without further complications. Once on the ground, emergency medical personnel were already waiting on the tarmac to board the plane and attend to the ailing passenger.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the passenger was conscious but in critical condition as he was removed from the aircraft on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital. The nurse who had assisted onboard was praised by fellow passengers and the cabin crew for her quick thinking and calm demeanor under pressure.

Reaction from Ryanair

Ryanair released a brief statement acknowledging the diversion and expressing support for the passenger involved. “A Ryanair flight from Alicante to London Stansted diverted to Bordeaux Airport after a passenger required urgent medical attention. The crew followed standard protocol, and the aircraft landed safely. Medical personnel met the aircraft on arrival, and the passenger was transferred to a local hospital. We extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery,” the airline said.

The airline also thanked its crew and the medical professional onboard for their prompt response and professionalism during the emergency.

Passenger Experience

For many passengers, the experience was both distressing and humbling. Several expressed concern for the man’s health while also commending the crew and fellow travelers who assisted during the crisis. One passenger said, “It was a tense moment, but the way the flight attendants and the nurse responded was incredible. They really made a difference.”

Others noted how the crew kept passengers informed throughout the diversion, explaining the reason for the unscheduled landing and updating everyone on the estimated time for resuming the journey.

The flight remained grounded in Bordeaux for approximately two hours before it was cleared to resume its journey to London. Passengers were eventually reboarded and safely arrived at Stansted Airport later that evening, albeit delayed.

The Importance of Medical Preparedness

This incident sheds light on the importance of having proper medical equipment and trained personnel onboard commercial flights. While cabin crew are trained in basic first aid and CPR, having a passenger with medical expertise onboard can significantly improve outcomes during in-flight emergencies.

Modern commercial aircraft are typically equipped with emergency medical kits and automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which can be lifesaving in situations like cardiac arrest. However, the rapid response of crew and assistance from medically trained passengers are often critical in stabilizing patients until professional medical help can be reached.

Aviation experts note that medical emergencies, while rare, do occur and are among the leading causes for in-flight diversions. Heart attacks, respiratory issues, and severe allergic reactions are among the most common reasons for such diversions. According to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine, about one in every 600 flights experiences a medical emergency.