In the last few moments, a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 between London Heathrow and Los Angeles has declared an emergency over North-West Scotland.
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VS23 is being operated by G-VDIA, one of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s in the Virgin fleet.
Updates: Virgin Flight London-Los Angeles Declares Emergency…
This is a developing story. Updates to follow below.
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UPDATE #1 @ 1913 UK time – At this time, it is unclear what the cause of the emergency is onboard Virgin Atlantic flight VS23 between London Heathrow and Los Angeles, with the aircraft expected to return to Heathrow, unless anything changes onboard.
UPDATE #2 @ 1915 UK time – VS23 is currently tracking over the Scottish Isles to the North West of Glasgow at FL340.
UPDATE #3 @ 1918 UK time – VS23 has currently been in the air for over an hour, with the reason still unclear for the initial emergency call. The aircraft is now squawking 7267, a standard code, meaning that the emergency is somewhat under control.
UPDATE #4 @ 1922 UK time – As per data from Planespotters, G-VDIA, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operating the flight is a 7.8 year old frame, which was first delivered to the airline back in March 2016.
UPDATE #5 @ 1935 UK time – As @DezCarp explains, if it is a technical issue, then the aircraft will go back to London Heathrow. It would have diverted elsewhere if there was another issue.
UPDATE #6 @ 1939 UK time – @RadarBoxCom confirming that the aircraft is returning due to a technical issue onboard the Boeing 787. The aircraft will not be continuing on to Los Angeles.
UPDATE #7 @ 1943 UK time – VS23 is currently to the north of Liverpool, and will be passing over that area/Manchester shortly, as the aircraft continues on to London Heathrow.
UPDATE #8 @ 1944 UK time – VS23 has changed its squawk from 7267 to 1432, from the original 7700 broadcast as it passes through the relevant FIRs. The nature of the technical issue is still unknown at this time.
UPDATE #9 @ 1947 UK time – VS23 between London Heathrow and Los Angeles, has initiated its descent back into its origin airport following a technical issue being reported.
UPDATE #10 @ 1950 UK time – Virgin Atlantic’s statement on the technical issue onboard VS23 through their status tracker side of the website.
UPDATE #11 @ 1954 UK time – VS23 is passing through FL240 to the North of Birmingham at present.
UPDATE #12 @ 1955 UK time – Winds at Heathrow are currently 090@8, meaning that the 09s are in use for landing and arrival.
UPDATE #13 @ 2008 UK time – VS23, originally bound for Los Angeles, is passing through FL110 as it prepares for its arrival back into London Heathrow.
UPDATE #14 @ 2009 UK time – Virgin Atlantic has updated the wording regarding the return to Heathrow as a “minor technical issue”.
UPDATE #15 @ 2014 UK time – VS23 looks to be on the downwind leg for the 09s at Heathrow. Arrival imminent.
UPDATE #16 @ 2018 UK time – Virgin Atlantic flight VS23, originally bound for Los Angeles is on final approach using Runway 09L at London Heathrow.
UPDATE #17 @ 2024 UK time – TOUCHDOWN! As per @RadarBoxCom, VS23 has appeared to have landed safely back into Heathrow following the initial emergency squawk over a minor technical issue.
UPDATE #18 @ 1546 UK time 18/9/23 – It is understood that Virgin Atlantic flight VS23 between London and Los Angeles returned back to Heathrow yesterday was due to a fuel indicator fault.
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