A British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Faro, Portugal, declares a mid-air emergency after reports of a cracked passenger window, prompting the aircraft to turn back and divert. Multiple outlets report that the Airbus A321-231 makes a U-turn shortly after departing and is later seen tracking back toward Gatwick.
AirNav Radar, according to reports, raises the alarm and says the BA EuroFlyer-operated flight has declared an emergency and is preparing to divert. One tracking and reporting account cites observations that the pilots spot structural damage to a window panel on the right side, while another notes that checks are carried out before a decision to return is made. The reports describe the general emergency occurring about an hour after take-off.
Outlets differ mainly in wording and emphasis—some refer to “cracked window” and others describe potential structural damage—but they broadly agree on the flight route, the emergency declaration, and the subsequent return to Gatwick. British Airways is contacted for comment, and the incident is described as disrupting the holiday flight.
