A passenger died aboard an easyJet flight from France to the Spanish island of Lanzarote on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, following a medical emergency that occurred as the aircraft approached its destination.
Flight EJU4775 departed from Nantes Atlantique Airport in France and was proceeding normally until crew members were alerted to a passenger requiring urgent medical assistance during the approach to Lanzarote Airport in the Canary Islands. The captain immediately triggered a distress signal and performed a routine landing in accordance with standard procedures.
Cabin crew members, who are trained to respond to medical emergencies, provided first aid and did everything possible to assist the passenger during the flight. Despite their efforts, the passenger could not be saved. Emergency services met the aircraft upon landing at Lanzarote Airport.
The airline confirmed the incident to French publication Le Parisien, with a spokesperson stating, “Our crews are trained to respond to medical issues and did everything possible during the flight.” The company extended its full support and assistance to the passenger’s family and friends during this difficult time.
EasyJet emphasized that the well-being and safety of passengers and crew remains their highest priority. The cause of death has not been released, and no further details about the passenger’s identity have been disclosed. Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
The incident caused significant disruption to flight operations. The return flight from Lanzarote to Nantes experienced major delays as a result of the emergency. The aircraft was originally scheduled to land in Loire-Atlantique at 2:45 p.m. but did not arrive until approximately 11 p.m., creating an eight-hour delay for passengers on the return journey.
This incident represents another case of a passenger death aboard an easyJet flight. In November 2022, a similar tragedy occurred when a man aged around 50 became ill during flight EZY8454 from Cyprus to London Gatwick Airport. That passenger, who appeared to be traveling alone, became unresponsive mid-flight at approximately 3:40 p.m. GMT after the aircraft departed from Paphos at 2:20 p.m. local time.
During the 2022 incident, crew members and passengers attempted to resuscitate the man using a defibrillator, but their efforts proved unsuccessful. Eyewitnesses reported that the passenger could not be awakened, and the flight, which was largely filled with holidaymakers returning from winter sun destinations, continued to its scheduled destination. Upon landing at Gatwick Airport, passengers were held aboard the aircraft while paramedics boarded to pronounce the man’s death.
Aviation protocol dictates that aircraft do not always divert when a passenger death occurs mid-flight. The decision depends on various factors, including the possibility of revival, the presence of medical professionals aboard who can declare death, and whether the deceased can be safely stored within the cabin for the remainder of the flight.
Airlines typically train their cabin crew to handle medical emergencies, including the use of onboard medical equipment such as defibrillators and first aid supplies. Most commercial aircraft also carry emergency medical kits and have access to ground-based medical consultation services that can provide guidance to crew members during in-flight medical situations.
The September 16 incident occurred on what would have been a routine flight between France and one of Spain’s popular vacation destinations. Lanzarote, part of the Canary Islands archipelago, is a frequent holiday destination for European travelers seeking warm weather and resort accommodations.
easyJet has not provided additional information about the specific medical emergency or the sequence of events that led to the passenger’s death. The airline continues to cooperate with authorities investigating the incident while providing support to affected passengers and crew members.