Archive · 5 Oct 2026
British Airways BA295 Returns to Heathrow After Pressurisation Problem
British Airways flight BA295 was flying from London to Chicago when a problem with cabin pressure was reported.
Cabin pressure helps people breathe comfortably while a plane is high in the sky.
The aircraft descended quickly, from 36,000 feet to about 9,000 feet, according to a post describing a crew message.
The crew then turned back toward Heathrow Airport.
Reports said the plane was too heavy for a normal landing at that point.
It could not release fuel, so circling while burning fuel was described as a way to become lighter.
FlightRadar24 later showed the plane had arrived at Heathrow.
The report did not provide an independently confirmed account of the crew message or the reported fuel activity.
British Airways flight BA295 departed London Heathrow for Chicago on a Boeing 777-236ER.
A post cited a crew message reporting a cabin-pressure problem and a cabin altitude of 10,500 feet.
The aircraft reportedly descended from 36,000 feet to about 9,000 feet in seven minutes.
FlightRadar24 later showed the aircraft had returned to Heathrow, after looping near southwestern Britain.
A post said the aircraft was above its maximum landing weight and could not release fuel; the report said holding would burn fuel.
- Who
- British Airways flight BA295, operated by a Boeing 777-236ER.
- What
- The Chicago-bound flight turned back to Heathrow after a reported cabin-pressurisation problem.
- When
- The article gives a scheduled departure time of 11:10 AM and an actual takeoff time of 12:14 PM, but does not specify the date.
- Where
- The flight departed London Heathrow and returned there after flying near southwestern Britain.
- Why
- A reported crew message cited a pressure problem; the aircraft was also reportedly above its maximum landing weight.
Reported account
What is independently confirmed in the article
Cause and cabin conditions
Reported account
A post citing a crew message said a pressure problem raised cabin altitude to 10,500 feet and prompted the return.
What is independently confirmed in the article
The article attributes these details to social-media posts; it does not provide an independent confirmation from British Airways.
Fuel and landing weight
Reported account
Posts said the aircraft was about 30 tonnes above its maximum landing weight, could not release fuel, and would circle to burn fuel before landing.
What is independently confirmed in the article
FlightRadar24 was reported to show loops near southwestern Britain and the aircraft's return to Heathrow, but the article does not independently verify the fuel-dumping claim.
- Flight
- BA295, British Airways
- Aircraft
- Boeing 777-236ER, registration G-VIIA
- Route
- London Heathrow to Chicago; returned to Heathrow
- Scheduled departure
- 11:10 AM
- Actual takeoff
- 12:14 PM
- Reported cabin altitude
- 10,500 feet
- Reported descent
- From 36,000 feet to around 9,000 feet in seven minutes
- Landing-weight report
- A post said the aircraft was about 30 tonnes above its maximum landing weight and could not release fuel.