Mid-Air Emergency Leaves Jet2 Passengers Stranded
A Jet2 flight travelling from Tenerife to Birmingham was forced to make an emergency landing in Portugal after one of the pilots became seriously unwell during the journey.
Flight LS1266, operated by an Airbus A321, diverted to Porto late Thursday night after the captain reportedly began feeling ill while the aircraft was cruising at 30,000 feet. Cabin crew urgently searched the cabin for any medical professionals among passengers who could assist.
According to passenger accounts, the aircraft experienced a sudden descent as the crew prepared for the emergency landing, which took place at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport at around 2.11am on Friday.
Emergency responders boarded the plane shortly after landing and administered first aid before the pilot was taken to hospital for further treatment. Passengers were later informed that the pilot had reportedly suffered a heart attack in the cockpit, although this has not been officially confirmed by the airline.
The incident left around 220 passengers stranded in Porto for more than 13 hours while Jet2 arranged for a replacement pilot to be flown in from Manchester.
Several passengers described a stressful experience following the landing, claiming they remained onboard the aircraft for over an hour before being allowed to disembark. Some also alleged they were left without accommodation during the lengthy delay.
One traveller told local media they had been “left to wander around” the airport after being informed that hotel accommodation was unavailable. Another passenger described scenes of confusion onboard, saying flashing lights and a rapid drop in altitude frightened their two-year-old child, while cabin crew appeared distressed as they sought medical assistance.
Jet2 confirmed the diversion in a statement, saying: “Flight LS1266 from Tenerife to Birmingham diverted to Porto on Thursday due to one of the pilots feeling unwell. At no point was safety compromised, and customers subsequently continued their journey. We apologise to customers for this unforeseen delay.”
The airline has not released further details regarding the pilot’s medical condition.
