BA apologises to passengers for mid-air false alarm
British Airways has launched an investigation into a temporary power outage on a flight to London, which caused the oxygen masks to accidentally drop down.
A passenger claimed an automated message told them how to put on the masks, adding that it was ‘not a drill’.
It was three minutes before cabin crew told passengers there was no emergency and no need for them to use the masks.
The incident happened two hours into flight BA16 to London on Sunday.
The passenger told The London Evening Standard that all the TV screens and lighting went off before the oxygen masks appeared in mid-air, as if there was an emergency.
A BA spokesman said: "Our flight and cabin crew reassured customers after oxygen masks were deployed accidentally.
"We are sorry for the distress this may have caused, and are investigating how it happened."
However, the passenger told the newspaper he was concerned that there was no communication from the flight deck, or any reassurance from the pilot.
Passengers received an email following the flight apologising for the ‘inadvertent oxygen mask deployment and any distress or concern this may have caused’.
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
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