Virgin Atlantic 787 Reroutes Mid-Flight After Windscreen Cracks at 40,000 Feet

A Virgin Atlantic flight bound for San Francisco was compelled to reroute after a crack appeared in its windscreen while cruising at 40,000 feet. The Boeing 787-9 aircraft experienced “damage to the outer layer of the cockpit windscreen” nearly three hours after departing from London’s Heathrow Airport, the airline reported.

The incident occurred when the aircraft was flying between Greenland and Iceland. According to the New York Post, the temperature outside the aircraft was a frigid -58 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the unexpected turn of events, no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.

Following the windscreen crack, the flight made an about-face and returned to Heathrow. The passengers were rebooked and made their trip to San Francisco the following day.

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A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson clarified that the aircraft’s windscreen, composed of multiple layers, had suffered a crack in a “non-structural, wear-resistant layer.” The spokesperson emphasized that at no point was the safety of the aircraft, passengers, or crew compromised. The decision to return to Heathrow was made to ensure that the necessary replacement parts and tools were available to fix the issue promptly, minimizing further disruption to customers and schedules.

The airline assured that they consistently operate above industry safety standards. The aircraft was back in service within 24 hours of the incident. “We’d like to apologize to the customers involved for the delay to their journeys,” the airline added in a statement reported by the Evening Standard.

This incident is part of a series of recent mishaps involving Boeing aircraft. On Wednesday, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 787 triggered altitude alarms while landing in Oklahoma City, flying less than 500 feet above a residential neighborhood. A month prior, another Southwest aircraft bound for Hawaii descended to just 400 feet above the Pacific Ocean, causing concern among passengers and aviation authorities alike.

The cause of the damage to the Virgin Atlantic flight on May 27 remains unclear, but the airline’s swift response and commitment to safety have been emphasized throughout the incident.

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