Air Canada passenger suffers food poisoning on London Heathrow flight

Key Takeaways

• On May 16, 2025, an Air Canada passenger suffered severe food poisoning on flight AC861 from London to Vancouver.
• Dr. Adam provided emergency treatment, including IV fluids, anti-nausea medication, and morphine, offering his business seat.
• No outbreak or policy changes followed; Health Canada and CFIA continue updating food safety regulations by 2026.

A Medical Emergency at 35,000 Feet: Air Canada Passenger Suffers Food Poisoning on London Heathrow to Vancouver Flight

On May 16, 2025, a serious medical emergency took place on Air Canada flight AC861, traveling from London Heathrow to Vancouver International Airport. About three and a half hours into the nine-hour journey, a passenger in economy class began to experience severe symptoms of food poisoning. This included vomiting, diarrhea, and intense pain. The situation quickly became urgent, leading to a call for medical help from the cabin crew. An off-duty doctor on board, known only as Dr. Adam, stepped in to provide life-saving care. This incident has since attracted widespread attention, both in the media and on social platforms, raising important questions about food safety, airline emergency preparedness, and the responsibilities of airlines like Air Canada.

What Happened on Flight AC861?

The passenger, who later shared their story on Reddit under the username “Major_Split,” described the ordeal in detail. After eating a meal served by Air Canada, the passenger started to feel unwell about three and a half hours into the flight. The symptoms came on quickly and were severe—vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain that lasted for nearly six hours until the plane landed in Vancouver.

Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the Air Canada crew made an announcement asking if there was a doctor on board. Dr. Adam, who was traveling as a passenger, responded and immediately began to help. He gave the sick passenger IV fluids to prevent dehydration, anti-nausea medication to help with vomiting, and morphine to manage the pain. In an act of kindness, Dr. Adam also gave up his business class seat so the ill passenger could rest more comfortably for the remainder of the flight.

The passenger later posted online, expressing deep gratitude to Dr. Adam and the Air Canada crew for their quick and compassionate response. The story quickly went viral, with many praising the professionalism of both the doctor and the airline staff.

No Official Statement from Air Canada

As of May 24, 2025, Air Canada has not released an official statement about the incident. There is no evidence of a larger outbreak or a recall related to in-flight meals on this route. No other passengers have reported similar symptoms from this flight, and there have been no immediate changes to airline or government food safety policies.

Food safety on Canadian airlines is overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada. Both agencies are currently working on modernizing food safety rules, but these efforts are not directly related to this incident. Health Canada is planning to update regulations for foods for special dietary use and infant foods, with public consultations expected in 2026. The CFIA is also working to improve how it monitors food safety risks, but it has not issued any new guidance for airline catering since this event.

Timeline and Key Details

• Incident Date: May 16, 2025
• Flight: Air Canada AC861, London Heathrow (LHR) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Flight Duration: About 9 hours
• Symptoms Began: 3.5 hours into the flight
• Duration of Illness: Nearly 6 hours during the flight

No other cases of food poisoning have been reported from this flight, and there is no sign of a widespread problem with Air Canada’s in-flight meals.

How Food Poisoning Can Happen on Flights

Food poisoning on airplanes is rare, but when it happens, it can be very serious. The most common cause of sudden food poisoning is a pre-formed toxin, which is a poison made by bacteria before the food is eaten. Examples include toxins from Staphylococcus aureus or Bacillus cereus. These toxins can cause symptoms within a few hours, which matches what happened on the Air Canada flight. In contrast, most bacterial infections take longer to cause symptoms.

Airline meals are usually prepared in large kitchens, then chilled and reheated before serving. Strict rules are in place to keep food safe, but mistakes can happen during storage, handling, or preparation. Most experts agree that large outbreaks are rare, and most cases are isolated.

What Should Passengers Do If They Suspect Food Poisoning?

If you think you have food poisoning during or after a flight, here are some steps you should follow:

1. Tell the Cabin Crew Right Away: Flight attendants are trained to handle medical emergencies and can ask for help from any doctors or nurses on board.
2. Ask for Medical Help: If your symptoms are severe, ask the crew to page for a medical professional.
3. Keep Track of What You Ate and When Symptoms Started: This information can help doctors and investigators figure out what caused the illness.
4. Report the Incident to the Airline: After the flight, contact Air Canada’s customer service to file a formal report.
5. Contact Health Authorities: If you know of other passengers who are sick, report the incident to the CFIA or your local public health office.
   6. See a Doctor After Landing: If your symptoms continue or get worse, get medical care as soon as possible.

For more information on food safety and how to report a foodborne illness, you can visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s official website.

Who Is Responsible for Food Safety on Flights?

In Canada 🇨🇦, food safety for airline meals is a shared responsibility:

• Airlines: Must follow strict rules for food storage, handling, and preparation.
• Catering Companies: Prepare and package meals, following government guidelines.
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): Monitors food safety and investigates complaints.
• Health Canada: Sets rules for food safety and is currently updating some regulations.

If a passenger gets sick from an in-flight meal, the airline and catering company may investigate, and the CFIA can step in if there is a risk to public health.

What Are the Rules for Airline Food Safety?

Airlines like Air Canada must follow Canadian 🇨🇦 food safety laws, which include:

• Keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold to stop bacteria from growing.
• Making sure food is cooked and stored properly.
• Training staff in safe food handling.
• Regular inspections of catering kitchens.

The CFIA and Health Canada are always working to improve these rules. Right now, Health Canada is planning to update rules for special dietary foods and infant foods, with public input expected in 2026.

Why Is This Incident Important?

This event on Air Canada flight AC861 has brought attention to several important issues:

• Food Safety: Even with strict rules, food poisoning can still happen. This shows the need for constant care in how airline meals are prepared and served.
• Medical Preparedness: The quick actions of Dr. Adam and the Air Canada crew show how important it is to have trained staff and good medical supplies on board.
• Passenger Awareness: Travelers should know what to do if they get sick on a flight and how to report it.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, while this case is isolated, it highlights the need for airlines to review their food safety and emergency medical procedures regularly.

How Did the Crew and Doctor Respond?

The actions of the Air Canada crew and Dr. Adam were widely praised. Here’s what they did:

• Cabin Crew: Quickly recognized the emergency, called for medical help, and supported both the doctor and the sick passenger.
• Dr. Adam: Provided IV fluids to prevent dehydration, gave anti-nausea medicine, managed pain with morphine, and even gave up his business class seat for the passenger’s comfort.

These actions likely prevented the situation from becoming even more serious. The passenger’s public thank you on Reddit has led to an outpouring of support and gratitude from people around the world.

Are There Any Policy Changes or Investigations?

As of now, there have been no new rules or investigations announced by Air Canada, the CFIA, or Health Canada in response to this incident. Both agencies continue to focus on improving food safety, but there is no sign that this event will lead to immediate changes.

• Health Canada: Working on updating food safety rules, with public consultations planned for 2026.
• CFIA: Investing in better tools to spot food safety risks early, but no new guidance for airlines since this event.

What Can Airlines Do to Prevent Food Poisoning?

While food poisoning on flights is rare, airlines can take steps to make it even less likely:

• Regularly Review Food Safety Procedures: Make sure all staff are trained and kitchens are inspected often.
• Work Closely with Catering Companies: Ensure meals are prepared and stored safely.
• Keep Medical Kits Well Stocked: Include IV fluids, pain medicine, and anti-nausea drugs.
• Train Crew for Medical Emergencies: Practice what to do if a passenger gets sick.

Passengers can also help by letting the crew know if they have food allergies or special dietary needs before flying.

What Should You Do If You Get Sick on a Flight?

Here’s a simple checklist for passengers:

• Tell the crew right away if you feel sick.
• Ask for medical help if you need it.
• Write down what you ate and when you started feeling sick.
• Report the problem to Air Canada after the flight.
• Contact the CFIA if you think others are sick too.
• See a doctor after landing if you’re still unwell.

For more information on how to report a food safety concern, visit the CFIA’s consumer food safety page.

What Does This Mean for Travelers?

Most people will never experience food poisoning on a flight, but this incident is a reminder to be prepared. Here are some tips:

• If you have food allergies or special needs, tell the airline before you fly.
• If you start to feel sick, don’t wait—let the crew know right away.
• Keep a record of what you eat, especially if you have a sensitive stomach.
• Know how to contact the airline and health authorities if you need to report a problem.

Background: Food Safety on Flights

Food poisoning on commercial flights is not common, but it has happened before. In most cases, only a few people get sick, and large outbreaks are very rare. Airlines and catering companies must follow strict rules, and government agencies like the CFIA and Health Canada keep a close watch on food safety.

The last big update to Canadian 🇨🇦 food safety rules is still ongoing, with more changes expected in the next few years. These updates aim to make food even safer for everyone, including airline passengers.

Looking Ahead: Will Things Change?

While there have been no immediate changes in response to this incident, it is possible that airlines like Air Canada will review their food safety and emergency procedures. Health Canada and the CFIA are already working on new rules and better ways to spot food safety risks early.

Passengers can expect that airlines and government agencies will keep working to make flying as safe as possible, both in the air and on the ground.

Key Takeaways for Passengers

• Food poisoning on flights is rare but can be serious.
• Air Canada and other airlines must follow strict food safety rules.
• If you get sick, tell the crew right away and ask for help.
• After the flight, report the problem to the airline and health authorities.
• Stay informed about food safety by checking official resources like the CFIA website.

Summary Table: Key Facts

For further information or to report a food safety concern, passengers can contact:

• Air Canada Customer Relations: For incident reporting and follow-up.
• Health Canada (Food Safety): Email: [email protected] | Phone: 613-321-4235
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): For food safety investigations and consumer protection.

Final Thoughts

This incident on Air Canada’s London Heathrow to Vancouver flight is a rare but important reminder of the need for strong food safety and emergency preparedness in the airline industry. While no new rules have been announced, the quick actions of Dr. Adam and the Air Canada crew show how important it is to be ready for anything—even at 35,000 feet. Passengers can help by staying alert, reporting problems, and following up with the right authorities. Airlines, for their part, must keep working to make sure every meal served in the sky is as safe as possible.

Learn Today

Food Poisoning → Illness caused by consuming contaminated food containing harmful bacteria or toxins.
IV Fluids → Intravenous liquids given to prevent dehydration and restore body fluids.
CFIA → Canadian Food Inspection Agency overseeing food safety and investigating related complaints in Canada.
Health Canada → Federal department responsible for public health, including food safety regulations and policies.
Pre-formed Toxin → A bacterial poison produced before ingestion, causing rapid onset of food poisoning symptoms.

This Article in a Nutshell

A passenger on Air Canada flight AC861 suffered severe food poisoning mid-flight. Dr. Adam provided urgent care, preventing worse outcomes. Air Canada has yet to comment. Authorities continue to modernize safety regulations. This case highlights the importance of preparedness and vigilant food safety on long-haul flights.
— By VisaVerge.com