How dead bodies are transported on planes — and what happens if a passenger dies during a flight

This week, an easyJet flight from Malaga to London Gatwick was cancelled before take-off after cabin crew were notified that a passenger had died on board.

The 89-year-old woman was reportedly seen ‘hunched over’ in the departures lounge, with fellow travellers saying they believed she was ‘already dead’ as she was wheeled onto the plane by family.

However, the airline and Spanish Civil Guard both denied these accusations, explaining the British national had a certificate permitting her to fly and was being supported by medical personnel

‘It was only after boarding the customer then required medical assistance and she sadly passed away,’ said an easyJet spokesperson in a statement.

While this was undoubtedly a shocking and distressing incident for witnesses, in-flight medical deaths are less rare than you may think, occurring at a rate of 0.21 per million passengers, according to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

Based on the estimated 9.4 billion passengers who travelled by air in 2024, this equates to a total of 1,974 people who passed away on planes.

Around 50,000 dead bodies are also transported on flights each year, either because a person has died in while abroad (repatriation) or they’re to be buried or cremated in a different country.

A number of commercial airlines offer this service through dedicated cargo divisions, although budget carriers typically lack the infrastructure required for the complex logistics involved.

Still, you may very well have been on a plane that was carrying a deceased person – and there are various protocols staff are trained to follow in these situations.

What happens if someone dies on a plane

When a passenger falls ill at 30,000 feet, former flight attendant Lisa Hughes says that while staff are trained in basic first aid and have emergency medical kits, ‘the first step is to ask if there are any medical professionals on the flight willing to assist.’

‘We also communicate with the cockpit to inform the captain of the situation,’ she told Metro. ‘Depending on the severity, the crew may administer basic care, such as providing oxygen, medication, or other first aid measures.

For serious conditions, the captain may decide to divert the flight to the nearest airport to get the passenger to a hospital as quickly as possible, often consulting with medical professionals on the ground via a dedicated communication line to decide the best course of action.

If the passenger passes away before landing, exact procedure varies from airline to airline, but generally involves moving the body to a more private area, if possible. This could be an empty row, a business class seat, or a crew rest area.

The dignity of the deceased is maintained to the best of the crew’s ability, who cover the body and ensure it’s not in view of other passengers. The plane may then continue to its destination or divert to the nearest available airport, where authorities take over, and ground staff provide support to the bereaved family.

Dr. Arnold Seid, medical director of Global Rescue, previously told CN Traveller: ‘There is no mandate to alter the flight path in the event of a death in flight. The pilot must follow certain notification regulations, depending on the country and jurisdiction of the destination airport, as well as company protocol.’

How human remains are transported on planes

In the case of an already deceased person being transported on a plane, the regulations are more stringent.

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The documents required differ depending on the destination country, but if repatriating a body to the UK, you’ll usually need to provide:

• The deceased’s passport
• A certified English translation of the foreign death certificate from the country in which the person died
• Authorisation to remove the body from the country
• A certificate of embalming
• A burial transit permit, health officer’s certificate and/or consular documentation

Although there’s no set law or policy which demands it, most airlines and border agents stipulate that a body must then be embalmed before repatriation and that all wooden coffins (as well as some metal ones) be lined with zinc or hermetically sealed to ensure safety and hygiene.

Remains are then transported in the cargo hold of a plane rather than the cabin, and although companions may be able to take the same flight, this is not guaranteed.

Upon arrival, US-based funeral director, Jeff Jorgenson, explains: ‘The receiving funeral home will come to transfer them into their care and execute the remainder of the family’s wishes.

‘In most cases this is a funeral with a burial to follow. Unusually, I had one family recently that was having their dad transported on a train back to his hometown for a funeral followed by a cremation.’

How much do airlines charge to transport a dead body?

Repatriation costs vary depending on travel distance, type of coffin and whether the casket needs to be airtight, but tend to be between £2,000 and £4,000.

In some cases however, airlines can charge as much as £15,000.

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