LONDON — A British Airways flight from Las Vegas declared an in-flight emergency on Tuesday afternoon as it began its final approach into London Heathrow Airport.
British Airways Flight BA274, operated by an Airbus A350-1000 (registration G-XWBL), departed Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas at 10:07 PDT on Monday. As the long-haul flight made its descent toward London over the Birmingham area, the flight crew issued a squawk 7700—the international radio code for an emergency—to air traffic control.
The emergency signal was initiated due to a possible hydraulic failure. Flight crews routinely declare formal emergencies in such situations to ensure the aircraft receives direct routing, priority landing clearance, and immediate ground support.
Air Traffic Control prioritized BA274 ahead of inbound traffic into Heathrow’s busy arrival corridors, expediting its vectoring toward the runway. Ground controllers alerted London Heathrow Airport’s Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) services alongside local ambulance crews, positioning them on stand-by ahead of the aircraft’s scheduled touchdown at approximately 3:11 PM BST.
No delays to broader airport operations have been reported, and the aircraft is expected to taxi directly to a gate where medical personnel will board to assist the passenger.
This is a developing story.
UDPATE #1
On approach to runway 27R.
UPDATE #2
Touch down.
UPDATE #3
The aircraft vacated the runway.
UPDATE #4
The aircraft is surrounded by emergency vehicles.
UDPATE #5
The aircraft is now taxiing to the gate, escorted by firetrucks.
UDPATE #6
Now parked on remote stand of terminal 5.
