Flight attendant shares the truth about what occurs if a passenger passes away during a flight, and it's chilling

A former flight attendant has detailed the true reality of what would happen onboard a commercial flight if someone were to pass away. It's not the situation anyone wants to be in, but unfortunately, some people will go through this terrible travel ordeal during their lifetime.

The staff working onboard the plane face a challenging scenario, as explained by one flight attendant who recounted a friend's experience. Mandy Smith, a former Virgin Atlantic employee, shed light on the official procedures that must be followed in such a tragic situation.

Navigating In-Flight Passenger Deaths: Cabin Crew's Emotional Burden

Handling a passenger's death mid-flight is a sensitive and complex process that requires coordination between the flight crew, ground staff, and authorities.

Mandy Smith's account sheds light on the emotional toll it takes on the cabin crew, who must remain composed while ensuring the deceased is treated with respect and dignity.

Understanding In-Flight Medical Emergencies

Flight attendants undergo rigorous training to handle medical emergencies, including potential passenger fatalities. The American Red Cross emphasizes that preparedness is key. According to their guidelines, crew members are taught to assess the situation quickly, ensuring that emergency medical equipment is readily available.

Dr. Jennifer Caudle, a family physician, notes that having a well-prepared crew can significantly improve outcomes in critical situations. 'In-flight fatalities may happen, but a swift response can alleviate complications,' she explains.

Flight Attendant Recounts Harrowing In-Flight Emergency Experience

It's also a difficult case for the staff working onboard the plane, and one flight attendant, who has a friend who experienced such, has explained what happened on one dreadful occasion.

Mandy Smith, who previously worked for Virgin Atlantic, spoke to the press about the official procedure they have to take in the tragic situation.

In-Flight Passenger Death Protocol Revealed by Airline Insider

"This has not happened to me, thankfully," Smith said during an episode of Honesty Box. "It has happened to a friend of mine, where they've had a passenger pass away on the flight.

"We used to have to put passengers in the bathrooms, and then lock the bathrooms off."

Privacy Concerns: Deceased Passenger's Unfortunate Seating Situation

This was a way to give the deceased person privacy, and also keep the body away from other passengers, but there was a problem.

Smith, who also spoke about the mile high club, explained: "Because they would be seated on the toilet, as they sat there - if rigor mortis set in - then they would be then stuck in that position, and they wouldn't be able to fit in their coffin."

Managing Rigor Mortis in Mortuary Practices

Cases of rigor mortis, stiffening of the joints and muscles of a body a few hours after death, can mean that morticians have to take extra measures to get someone into their coffin.

This includes flexing the muscles and joints to relieve the tension, effectively giving the corpse a massage.

Proper Corpse Positioning to Ease Handling and Comfort

But there is a way to prevent the need for this, which is ensuring that a corpse is laid out flat so 'sets' in a more convenient position.

Smith added: "Unfortunately, now, we have to lay them across the front of the seats and try and calm their loved ones down.

Respectful Handling of Deceased Passengers on Flights

"Treat them with respect, cover them with blankets, and maybe just cordon the area off with blankets tucked into the overheads, which is what I would probably do."

The former flight attendant went on to say: "If they passed away on board, it's the law that we, as cabin crew, have to keep going. So, we have to keep doing any kind of resuscitation until they're deemed to be deceased.

In-Flight Emergency Response Protocols

"So, if it was an accident that happened on board, or if they had a heart attack, we would then just keep going doing CPR.

"But if it was someone who passed away from natural causes, or another kind of ailment, then obviously, we wouldn't need to do anything to them then.

Handling Deceased Passengers During Flights

"We'd need to contact the ground services to be met by an ambulance or the coroner. We wouldn't really do it as an emergency landing, we'd just treat it as a normal landing if that person's definitely passed away."

A former flight attendant shared that in the unfortunate event of a passenger’s death, the crew must maintain professionalism and compassion. This often involves discreetly managing the situation while ensuring the comfort of remaining passengers. Experts like Dr. Leana Wen, a public health expert, suggest that airlines implement more robust training programs focused on emotional support techniques.

Such training can empower crew members to handle the emotional weight of such incidents, both for themselves and for passengers, making the experience more manageable for everyone involved.

In conclusion, the management of in-flight fatalities requires a combination of medical knowledge and emotional resilience. Flight crews are trained to act swiftly and empathetically, minimizing distress for all involved. As Dr. Leana Wen highlights, enhancing training programs can provide crucial support to crew members in these challenging situations. Airlines should consider implementing additional resources and workshops focused on emotional intelligence and crisis management, ensuring that both crew and passengers feel supported during such dire circumstances.