Fatality onboard Kenya Airways flight

An elderly passenger tragically passed away on board a Kenya Airways flight on April 11, 2025. The incident occurred during Flight KQ003, a long-haul journey that departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK, United States of America) en route to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO, Kenya)

Kenya Airways confirmed the death in an official statement, indicating that the passenger, whose identity remains undisclosed, became unresponsive during the flight. Cabin crew and medical professionals on board responded immediately, providing emergency assistance. Unfortunately, the individual could not be revived and was pronounced dead while still in the air.

Upon arrival in Nairobi, Kenyan health authorities and airport officials boarded the aircraft to manage the situation, and the passenger’s body was transferred for further examination. Kenya Airways extended its condolences to the deceased’s family and stated it would offer support to those affected.

This incident follows a series of similar occurrences involving Kenya Airways flights. In September 2022, a passenger developed breathing difficulties while boarding Flight KQ 612 from Nairobi to Mombasa and was pronounced dead at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Earlier that year, in August 2022, a passenger on Flight KQ 003 from New York to Nairobi fell ill mid-flight, leading to an emergency landing in Casablanca, Morocco, where the passenger was confirmed dead.

You can catch up on other related incidents where passengers have sadly lost their lives during flights on Kenya Airways.

Passenger dies on flight from New York

Passenger dies on flight to New York

Passenger dies on flight to Mombasa