Panic at 37,000 Feet: What Unfolded on easyJet Flight EZY2252
Passengers seated on easyJet Flight EZY2252 expected a routine trip from the red sands of Hurghada to the rainy streets of Manchester. Instead, their February 8, 2025 journey took an alarming turn when, about two hours after takeoff, the captain became seriously ill and collapsed in the cockpit. The incident left those on board rattled as cabin crew scrambled to find a medically trained passenger to help.
Confusion swept through the Airbus A320 as flight attendants urgently called out, “Is there a doctor on board?” Some passengers whispered guesses—a sick traveler, maybe just general turbulence. That theory shattered soon after, when a crew member declared over the intercom that the real medical emergency involved the captain. Suddenly, a routine flight turned into a high-stress ordeal.
One passenger described the eerie uncertainty and the cabin crew’s visible concern. "At first we thought this may have been a passenger as nothing much was being said other than the screams asking if anyone is medically trained," they told a local reporter. The co-pilot, responsible for more than a hundred anxious travelers, took control of the airplane and began preparations for an unexpected landing.
With the captain incapacitated, strict protocols kick in. The co-pilot—sometimes still relatively junior—must assess not just the patient, but the entire flight plan, weather, and closest suitable airports. In this case, Athens International Airport became the sudden, necessary destination. About 2,000 kilometers from the original destination, but equipped with emergency medical services and long runways, Athens was a logical choice.
On approach, nerves inside the plane reached a peak. "We could see the flight attendants rushing back and forth, whispering to each other. That’s when we knew something serious was going on," said another passenger. The anxiety was felt in every row, with both veterans and nervous fliers equally unsettled by the uncertainty at 37,000 feet.
The Aftermath: Safety Measures and a Growing Trend
On landing, paramedics boarded the aircraft immediately to attend to the captain, while ground crew explained the plan for disrupted passengers. Taxis shuttled weary travelers to nearby hotels; easyJet staff worked long into the night securing meals and beds. Most were grateful for the arrangements but left wondering how such a frightening scenario could unfold in an industry so focused on safety checks.
The incident isn’t unique. Other recent events—like the easyJet first officer who fainted on a London-Lisbon flight in July 2024, or a Ryanair pilot’s medical scare in December—have spotlighted health emergencies among flight crews. Still, commercial aviation has strict rules for these situations, requiring both a captain and co-pilot to be trained for solo operation in an emergency. EasyJet assured travelers that standard procedures were followed throughout, emphasizing the safety of the emergency landing and expressing thanks for passengers’ patience and understanding.
Some passengers joked nervously in the terminal hotel about their "unexpected Greek holiday," thankful for how the situation resolved but eager to put the ordeal behind them. The passengers finally made it to Manchester the next day, flying out with a fresh crew and, one imagines, a few extra glances toward the cockpit door.