A passenger passed away on an Air France flight from Paris, France, to Boston, US, on Tuesday, despite the efforts of doctors on board to save them.
The passenger became ill shortly after Flight AF334 departed from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, according to NBC Boston. Despite efforts by doctors to assist, they were unable to save the individual, who passed away shortly afterward.
The flight landed at Boston’s Logan International Airport just before 5 pm local time, approximately 16 minutes behind schedule. Emergency crews were present at Boston Airport when the plane landed Tuesday night.
In a statement to NBC Boston, Air France confirmed the passenger’s death, saying, “Despite the assistance of a doctor on board, the customer couldn’t be rescued. Air France reminds that its crew members are regularly trained to handle these kinds of situations.”
The Massachusetts state police detective unit is investigating the incident, which they described as an “unattended death.” The passenger’s identity will be withheld until their family has been notified.
This incident follows a similar tragedy in October 2024, when a Turkish Airlines pilot died after collapsing during a flight from Seattle to Istanbul, forcing an emergency landing in New York.
Medical emergencies are not uncommon on flights, with approximately 44,000 flights in the US experiencing some form of medical event each year, according to a March 2024 report by Aviation Services. The most common medical situations during flights include fainting, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory problems, neurological issues, seizures, and cardiac issues such as heart attacks, according to Daily Mail.
