Passenger With COVID Symptoms Dies After Flight Diverted To New Orleans

A United Airlines flight from Orlando to Los Angeles was diverted to New Orleans on Monday (December 14) after a passenger experienced a medical emergency. The passenger, who was exhibiting coronavirus-like symptoms, was taken to a hospital where he later died.

The incident gained attention on Monday after a series of tweets was posted by a fellow passenger on United flight 591, claiming she overheard the man's wife confirm to EMTs that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

United Airlines confirmed on Friday that the passenger had COVID-19 symptoms but did not say if that is what caused his death. A spokesperson for United Airlines said they were told the man had a heart attack mid-flight so the plane was diverted to New Orleans.

The remaining passengers were given the option to take a later flight, but WWL-TV reports that all remained on the same flight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contacted United to request more information for possible contact tracing.

If the man is confirmed to have died from COVID-19, this would not be the first time an airplane passenger died mid-flight from the disease. In July, a woman in her 30s was on a flight from Arizona to Texas when she began having difficulty breathing. She was given oxygen but ultimately died on the jetway.

United Airlines issued a statement to USA Today claiming the company is working with the CDC and local health officials to determine possible exposure to other passengers on the flight.

"The health and safety of our employees and customers is our highest priority," the statement reads in part, "which is why we have various policies and procedures in place such as mask mandates and requiring customers to complete a 'Ready-to-Fly' checklist before the flight acknowledging hey have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days and do not have COVID-related symptoms."

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