San Francisco, April 21 - On Thursday, April 17, 2025, a British Airways flight attendant was found deceased in his hotel room during a layover in San Francisco, leading to the cancellation of flight BA284 from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to London Heathrow (LHR). The tragic incident occurred at the Marriott Marquis, where the crew was staying after arriving in the city on Tuesday, April 15, following a flight from Heathrow. The male crew member, described as a young and popular steward, had checked into the hotel for a scheduled 48-hour layover before the return flight. His body was discovered after he failed to report for duty, prompting concern among his colleagues and resulting in a devastating outcome that left the crew too distraught to operate the scheduled Airbus A380 departure.
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The sequence of events began when the flight attendant did not appear at the hotel lobby for the crew’s planned departure to the airport on Thursday afternoon. Colleagues attempted to contact him but received no response, raising alarms. While the pilots had already proceeded to SFO to prepare for the 4:20 p.m. flight, the cabin crew and in-flight managers remained at the hotel to investigate. Hotel staff escorted them to the steward’s room, where he was found lifeless, possibly having been deceased for up to two days, as some reports suggest. The discovery shocked the crew, and the pilots returned to the hotel to support their colleagues. British Airways confirmed the crew member’s death and issued a statement expressing condolences: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of our colleague at this difficult time.” The airline did not disclose the individual’s identity, respecting the privacy of the family.
The cause of death remains under investigation, with no immediate indications of foul play, though authorities are conducting a thorough inquiry, including an autopsy, to determine the circumstances. The San Francisco coroner’s office has not yet released findings, and British Airways is cooperating fully. The emotional toll on the crew led to the cancellation of flight BA284, which disrupted travel plans for up to 469 passengers. The airline provided hotel accommodations and rebooked passengers on alternative flights. To manage the operational impact, British Airways canceled the following day’s outbound flight from London to San Francisco (BA285) on April 18, allowing the Airbus A380 to return to London with a different crew, while the original crew was permitted to deadhead back.
This incident follows a similar tragedy in 2024, when a 47-year-old British Airways pilot collapsed and died during a layover in St. Lucia, highlighting the rare but profound challenges faced by airline crews. The loss of the flight attendant, described as a valued team member, has left British Airways staff reeling, with the airline offering support to those affected. The investigation continues as the aviation community mourns.