What Happens If Someone Dies on a Plane?
It’s a scenario no one likes to think about but at 35,000 feet, life (and death) doesn’t pause.
So what actually happens if a passenger dies during a flight?
Surprisingly, airlines don’t have a universal rulebook for this. But most follow quiet, practical procedures that prioritize dignity, discretion, and the safety of everyone onboard.
How Often Does It Happen?
Death onboard is extremely rare.
But considering that billions of people fly each year, it’s not unheard of. Medical emergencies occur on roughly 1 in every 600 flights, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. In-flight deaths, while much rarer, do happen, especially on long-haul routes with older or medically fragile passengers.
What Happens First?
If a passenger becomes unresponsive, flight attendants:
Attempt to assess and revive the person using CPR, oxygen, or an onboard AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
Ask whether any medical professionals are onboard, often via overhead announcements.
Consult with ground-based medical experts, such as MedAire or Stat-MD, via satellite phone.
If necessary, the pilot may decide to divert the flight for an emergency landing.
If all efforts fail and death is declared.
Can Someone Be Officially Declared Dead in the Air?
Here’s where things get tricky.
On most commercial flights, no one onboard has the legal authority to officially pronounce death, unless there’s a licensed physician traveling.
If there isn’t, the person may simply be considered “unresponsive” or “without vital signs” until a medical team on the ground makes the declaration.
This legal grey area means some passengers who appear deceased may not be officially declared dead until after landing.
What Happens to the Body?
Once it’s clear the person has passed away, the body is typically:
Moved to an empty row or a curtained-off area, if available
Covered respectfully with a blanket
Secured with a seatbelt, especially if turbulence is expected
Contrary to internet myths, there is no special body storage on commercial flights. Only some long-haul aircraft (like older versions of the Airbus A340 or Boeing 747) were once fitted with body bags or makeshift compartments, mostly for repatriation flights, but this is not standard today.
What Happens After Landing?
Upon landing:
Local emergency medical personnel board the plane
The individual is officially pronounced dead, if not already
Authorities may interview crew and witnesses
The body is removed, often before other passengers disembark
Airlines typically also offer support to family members, if present, and coordinate with ground services to ensure proper care and repatriation.