Air France flight AF81, traveling from San Francisco (SFO) to Paris (CDG), was diverted to St. John’s (YYT) in Canada due to a medical emergency involving several passengers. The Airbus A350-900 had to change course after five hours of flight, following a consultation with a medical professional.
Upon landing, emergency services were on standby for the sick passengers before the flight resumed after 90 minutes on the ground. However, some passengers expressed their frustration with the crew during the incident.
The detour, which added significant costs to the airline—approximately $120,000 per diversion—highlights the financial burden such emergencies impose on the industry, totaling an estimated $552 million annually. To mitigate unnecessary diversions, airlines like Air France invest in telehealth services to provide real-time medical evaluations and advice from doctors during flights.
Efforts continue to prioritize passenger health while balancing operational efficiency.
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