n Feb 4th, 2026, a British Airways Boeing 777-200, registration G-VIIR, operating flight BA-2204 from Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) to London Gatwick (UK), was involved in a concerning in-flight incident after a strange odour was detected in the rear cabin shortly after departure.
Passengers and crew reported noticing the unusual smell early in the transatlantic crossing. As the flight progressed, several cabin crew members began to feel nauseous and dizzy, prompting increased concern on board. Despite the symptoms, the crew continued the flight while monitoring the situation.
The aircraft landed safely at London Gatwick approximately seven hours after departure. Following arrival, one cabin crew member required hospital treatment as a precaution, while others were assessed for similar symptoms.
British Airways engineers inspected the aircraft after landing. The Boeing 777 remained on the ground for around 27 hours before being cleared to return to service.
No further details have been released regarding the source of the odour, but the incident underscores how air quality concerns, even without visible smoke or fire indications, can have real and immediate effects on crew wellbeing, particularly on long-haul flights where diversion options may be limited.
