1 hr ago
British Airways Flight Turns Back After Emergency Descent
A British Airways plane was flying from London to Chicago.
While it was over Ireland, it sent an emergency signal called 7700.
Flight-tracking information showed it quickly descended from about 37,000 feet to about 9,000 feet.
The plane did not continue its planned trip to Chicago.
Reports said it turned back toward London, although one report said it was circling over the English Channel.
The reports did not agree on its exact position at that point.
British Airways had not publicly confirmed what caused the emergency.
The 7700 code tells air traffic controllers that a plane has a general emergency, but not what the problem is.
British Airways flight BA295 declared a general emergency while flying over Ireland on Monday.
The London Heathrow-to-Chicago flight transmitted the 7700 transponder code.
Flight-tracking data showed the Boeing 777 descending from about 37,000 feet to around 9,000 feet.
Reports said the flight turned back toward London, though another account said it was circling over the English Channel.
The reason for the emergency was not confirmed in the reports.
- Who
- British Airways flight BA295, a Boeing 777-200ER.
- What
- The flight declared a general emergency, descended rapidly, and turned back toward London, according to flight-tracking reports.
- Where
- The aircraft was over Ireland during the emergency; reports later placed it on a course back toward London, with one report saying it was circling over the English Channel.
- When
- Monday, October 5, 2026; it departed Heathrow at about 11:50 a.m. local time.
- Why
- The reason for the emergency was not confirmed.
Key facts
- Flight
- British Airways BA295
- Planned route
- London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare
- Aircraft
- Boeing 777-200ER, registered as G-VIIA
- Emergency signal
- 7700, a code indicating a general emergency
- Reported descent
- From around 37,000 feet to approximately 9,000 feet
- Departure
- Heathrow Terminal 5 at about 11:50 a.m. local time
- Cause
- Not publicly confirmed in the reports
Sources
London-Chicago Flight Descends 28,000 ft Within Minutes, Declares Emergency
British Airways Flight BA295 Declares Emergency Over Ireland, Plunges From 28,000 Ft To 9,000 Ft
British Airways Flight To Chicago Declares Emergency After Dropping 28,000 Ft, Diverted To London
British Airways BA295 squawks 7700, drops 28,000 feet before turning back to London
British Airways London-Chicago flight declares emergency after rapid 28,000-ft descent
British Airways London-Chicago flight drops 28,000 ft, declares emergency: Report
British Airways flight declares emergency over Ireland after steep 28,000-ft descent
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