Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

British Airways cabin crew contract virus on long-haul flights

A number of British Airways cabin crew have contracted the coronavirus when operating long haul flights over the past two weeks.

Unions are calling on airlines to do more to minimise the exposure of staff.

But BA pilots and cabin crew say the airline was slow to take action to protect them from the virus.

BA said it has taken steps to reduce contact between customers and crew, adding that personal protective gear, like masks and gloves, was available.

However, one pilot told the BBC that equipment was not always accessible and that staff sometimes travelled "shoulder-to-shoulder" on buses at airports.

Despite slashing its flight schedule amid travel restrictions, BA is still operating some flights to destinations such as New York, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in the US, where more than 6,000 people have died.

This week the airline also helped repatriate hundreds of British nationals from Peru. Along with other UK-based airlines, BA is now working with the Foreign Office to bring back people who are stuck abroad.

BA said it was "keeping vital links open" and its teams were "doing an amazing job".

The in-flight service on flights operated by BA and its rivals has been greatly reduced to minimise person-to-person contact. Passengers on long-haul flights are now handed a packed lunch and a drink when they board the plane.

However the pilot's union BALPA said it was "bonkers" that duty free was still being sold on some flights.

Although some long-haul routes which are still operating can be relatively empty, social-distancing hasn't been possible on some domestic and repatriation flights. One pilot operating a domestic flight with a UK-based airline out of Manchester this week refused to take-off until he was given a bigger aircraft.

And BBC News has learnt that Public Health England has suggested that every other seat on an aircraft should now be left empty so that social distancing is possible.

In an email sent to the pilots' union BALPA, Public Health England said "seating passengers separated by one seat either side would be a sensible approach."

However, this suggestion would be incredibly costly for any repatriation flights organised by the Foreign Office and might not be feasible for airlines who have had their business wither in recent weeks.


'Very slow'

Easyjet, which is also expected to run some of the government's repatriation flights, said it has also been implementing practises to minimise contact like ensuring that its staff don't touch passengers' travel documents when they board.

Virgin Atlantic said it had put "meticulous" cleaning processes in place and created "isolation areas" on its flights for passengers showing symptoms of the virus.

A BA pilot told the BBC that the airline had been "very slow" to put in measures to protect staff.

"I know the company is struggling but up until the last three or four days there has been a complete disregard for our health and safety."

The pilot, who flies long-haul routes, acknowledged that this week there were signs that issues were being addressed.

He said pilots recently received an email stating that bigger buses would be used to transport staff at airports so that they can observe social-distancing advice. At Heathrow employees have also been given access to car parks so that they can avoid getting on buses.

Another BA staff member who contracted the virus said they did have access to a "flimsy mask", however protective equipment was not always available. BA insisted that the welfare of its staff was paramount.

Brian Strutton from the pilot's union Balpa said it was essential that staff involved in repatriation efforts were provided with protective equipment.

"We're hearing pilots saying they're worried about flying, for their own safety and their family's safety," he said.

"Yet there has been no discussion or consultation with us to provide assurance."

BALPA has written to the Department for Transport to express its concerns and it has issued its own safety guidance to pilots. The department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Crews have also been notified that they are now classified as "critical workers" and were told that if they were rostered they would be expected to turn-up to work.

However, BA insisted that repatriation flights would only be operated by staff who volunteer. Easyjet also said that its rescue flights for stranded British nationals have always been operated by staff who have volunteered.

The Unite union, which represents cabin crew, said the guidance from aviation regulators and other government bodies over keeping airline crews safe was inconsistent.

Unite's aviation officer Oliver Richardson called on the industry to urgently agree a set of protocols "to minimise the risk to those working and flying".

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Pilots Call for Mental Health Support Without Stigma
All Five Trapped Miners Found Dead After El Teniente Mine Collapse
Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Linked to Former Singapore Transport Minister
BP’s Largest Oil and Gas Find in 25 Years Uncovered Offshore Brazil
Italy Fines Shein One Million Euros for Misleading Sustainability Claims
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
Declassified Annex Links Soros‑Affiliated Officials and Clinton Campaign to ‘Russiagate’ Narrative
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
×