United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Virgin flight jumps queue to get medical help for sick passenger
A Virgin Atlantic plane was forced to request a priority landing at Heathrow after a passenger was taken ill on board.
The pilot of flight VS20 from San Francisco notified air traffic control of the medical emergency.
He was given permission to jump the queue of other aircraft waiting to land, said the London Evening Standard, and the aircraft was met by a medical team.
Responding to comments on Twitter that its flight had ‘declared an emergency", Virgin tweed: "The VS20 has been given a priority landing into LHR due to a customer requiring medical assistance (not an emergency landing)."
A spokeswoman for the airline said the plane had landed safely.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Exploring Brooklands Museum with Alex Patterson
Global Tourism Challenges and Upcoming Events: A Conversation with Don Welsh
Peebles Barbeque: A Legacy of Flavor and Tradition
Exploring Bok Tower Gardens with Erica Smith
Rue’s Living Water Boat Cruises: Exploring Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes
Durango and Silverton Railroad: A Timeless Journey Through History and Scenic Beauty
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
Qatar Airways adding Manchester flights
EU entry-exit system delayed again
ATC strike in Greece could disrupt flights this week
Jet2 unveils Samos as new Greek destination for summer 2026
Icelandair launches inaugural flight to Nashville