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A Jet2 Airbus A321neo operating flight LS1266 from Tenerife South to Birmingham was forced to make an emergency diversion to Porto, Portugal, after the captain reportedly suffered a suspected heart attack while cruising at 30,000 feet over the Atlantic.
The incident occurred during the overnight hours when the captain became incapacitated in the cockpit. The first officer immediately assumed full command of the aircraft and initiated emergency descent and diversion procedures, declaring a medical emergency with air traffic control.
The A321neo was successfully diverted to Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport in Porto, where the aircraft touched down safely at approximately 2:11 AM local time. Emergency medical teams were standing by on the ground and the captain was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
All 180 passengers and remaining crew members were reported safe. Jet2 arranged alternative transportation for the affected passengers to complete their journey to Birmingham.
The incident comes amid renewed industry focus on cockpit safety protocols and pilot medical screening requirements, as it follows closely on the heels of a similar pilot incapacitation event on a Delta Connection CRJ-900 flight near Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Aviation safety experts note that such events underscore the critical importance of multi-crew operations and the rigorous emergency training all commercial pilots undergo.
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