BA295 flight status LIVE updates: London-Chicago British Airways’ aircraft plunges 27,000-foot in 7 minutes; check pics

British Airways flight BA295, bound for Chicago, made an emergency return to London Heathrow due to a cabin pressurization issue. The Boeing 777-236ER, registered G-VIIA, departed from London Heathrow at 12:14 PM, 3 hours and 4 minutes later than its scheduled departure at 11:10 AM. The flight was expected to arrive in Chicago at 1:50 PM, but it has since been grounded and will likely depart later.

The crew reported the cabin altitude reaching 10,500 feet before the aircraft rapidly descended 27,000 feet in just seven minutes. This rapid descent aligns with Boeing's standard procedure for a loss of cabin pressurization, aiming to reach an altitude where additional oxygen is no longer necessary. The crew also expressed concerns about the aircraft's weight, as it was approximately 30 tonnes over its maximum landing weight, making fuel management a crucial consideration during the return. The rapid descent appeared to be in line with regular training procedures for pilots.