
British Airways 777 Diverts to Heathrow After Sudden 28,000-Foot Descent
A British Airways Boeing 777-200ER bound for Chicago O'Hare from London Heathrow made an emergency return to London on October 5, 2026, after a rapid descent of approximately 27,000 to 28,000 feet. The aircraft, flight BA295, dropped from a cruising altitude of 36,000 or 37,000 feet to 9,000 feet within seven to ten minutes shortly after departing. The plane circled over the Bristol Channel for several hours to burn fuel before landing safely at Heathrow. British Airways cited a 'technical issue' but did not specify the cause, while passengers reported turbulence and the deployment of oxygen masks. All passengers disembarked normally, and the airline is assisting with rebooking.





