British Airways flight returns to Heathrow after nearly 5 hours in air following technical issue

British Airways flight BA295, which was bound for Chicago from London, returned to Heathrow nearly five hours after takeoff following a technical issue, the airline said on Monday.

The Boeing 777-200ER landed safely at Heathrow after spending 4 hours and 47 minutes in the air. All passengers disembarked normally, while British Airways said it was working to arrange onward travel for those affected.

The flight had departed Heathrow at around 11.50 am local time for Chicago O'Hare International Airport, with a scheduled journey time of about eight hours and 40 minutes, according to flight tracking data cited by PTI.

Flight makes unexpected return to London

BA295 initially climbed to a cruising altitude of 37,000 feet after takeoff. About an hour into the journey, however, the aircraft began a steep descent and dropped to around 9,000 feet.

The flight also transmitted squawk 7700, an emergency code used to alert air traffic control to a general emergency.

The aircraft subsequently turned back towards London while over the Irish airspace. Flight tracking data showed it circling for some time in the area between Ireland and Wales before continuing towards Heathrow.

The extended circling appeared to be consistent with an effort to reduce the aircraft's fuel load before landing. Long-haul aircraft such as the Boeing 777 can carry substantial amounts of fuel for transatlantic flights, and an early return can require the aircraft to land with a lower fuel load.

British Airways confirms technical issue

British Airways said its pilots decided to return to Heathrow after encountering a technical issue.

In a statement to The Mirror, the airline said its pilots had returned the aircraft to Heathrow and confirmed that it had landed safely.

The airline said the passengers left the aircraft normally and that arrangements were being made to get them to their destinations as quickly as possible.

British Airways also reiterated that the safety of its passengers and crew remained its top priority.

The flight eventually completed its return to Heathrow after nearly five hours in the air, ending what was initially an eight-hour-plus journey to Chicago.