British Airways Flight: Body Kept in Kitchen for 13 Hours – Passengers Report Foul Odor

A British Airways flight from Hong Kong to London Heathrow continued its journey for 13 hours with the body of a 60-year-old female passenger on board after she died shortly after takeoff on March 15th, according to multiple reports. The incident, involving flight BA32, an Airbus A350-1000, has sparked outrage and questions about airline protocols.

The woman reportedly died approximately one hour into the flight. Despite the distress of family members and requests to turn back, the flight crew, after evaluation, determined the death did not constitute an “emergency situation” warranting a return to Hong Kong or a diversion to another airport, according to sources cited in reports from Skypost and stheadline.com.

The handling of the deceased passenger’s remains became a central point of concern. Initial suggestions from the cockpit to place the body in a lavatory and lock the door were rejected by cabin crew as inappropriate. The body was wrapped and stored in the galley area at the rear of the aircraft. This area, however, contained a heated floor, which was reportedly not noticed by the crew.

As the 13.5-hour flight progressed, passengers began to complain of a foul odor emanating from the galley, according to Yahoo News Hong Kong and WeekendHK. The smell became increasingly noticeable in the later stages of the journey, causing significant distress to the 331 passengers and crew on board.

Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, police boarded the aircraft and initiated an investigation, holding all passengers on board for approximately 45 minutes even as they conducted inquiries. British Airways has stated that all procedures were “correctly followed” in the handling of the situation, referencing guidelines from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which recommend placing a deceased passenger in a body bag or covering them with a blanket and securing them in a seat.

The incident has prompted widespread discussion and criticism regarding the airline’s decision-making process and the conditions endured by passengers during the long-haul flight. As of March 23, 2026, British Airways has not released further details regarding the investigation or any potential changes to its protocols.