Jet2 flight diverts to Porto after pilot suspected heart attack

A Jet2 flight from Tenerife to Birmingham was forced to make an emergency landing in Portugal late Thursday night after the pilot suffered a suspected heart attack at 30,000 feet. The aircraft, carrying 220 passengers, touched down in Porto at 2:11 a.m. on Friday, where emergency medical services rushed on board to attend to the pilot.

The incident unfolded midflight on Jet2 flight LS1266 when the captain began feeling unwell. Witnesses reported that cabin crew ran through the aisle in tears, asking if any passengers had medical training. The plane descended rapidly as the first officer took control and diverted to the nearest airport. One passenger told a newspaper that they and their partner were asleep when they were awoken by chaos. Lights began flashing, and visibly upset flight attendants were seeking a doctor. The passenger said their two-year-old began crying, as did many other children on board, because the aircraft was dropping so quickly for the emergency landing.

After landing in Porto, paramedics performed emergency first aid before the pilot was taken to a hospital. Passengers were kept on the plane for over an hour before being allowed to disembark. They were then...