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United Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Athens After Passenger Dies
By Natalie Russo | April 11, 2025
Athens, Greece — A United Airlines flight en route from New York to Dubai made an unscheduled emergency landing at Athens International Airport early Thursday morning after a passenger on board suffered a sudden and fatal medical emergency, airline officials confirmed.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as United Flight 942, departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport at approximately 9:35 p.m. local time on Wednesday with 231 passengers and 14 crew members on board. The flight was expected to reach its final destination in Dubai by Thursday evening, but was diverted to Athens after a 62-year-old man in business class became unresponsive about five hours into the journey.
According to eyewitnesses, flight attendants were alerted by nearby passengers when the man, later identified as Richard Halvorsen, a retired investment banker from Stamford, Connecticut, collapsed suddenly in his seat while watching an in-flight movie. Fellow passengers say he had been speaking with a seatmate moments before, joking about the film and sipping on sparkling water.
“I looked over and he just slumped sideways,” said Gina Lin, 34, a nurse from Brooklyn seated two rows behind Halvorsen. “At first, I thought he had fallen asleep, but then I noticed his tray had flipped and his arms were twitching. That’s when I knew something was wrong.”
Flight attendants rushed to the scene and attempted to revive Halvorsen using CPR and an onboard defibrillator. The crew also made an announcement asking for any medical professionals on board. A cardiologist and an emergency room technician reportedly stepped forward and assisted in efforts to save the man’s life.
Despite their efforts, Halvorsen was pronounced dead approximately 20 minutes later.
“It was incredibly tense,” Lin added. “They worked on him for a long time, and everyone in our section was completely silent. Some people were praying. It’s just heartbreaking.”
The flight’s captain made the decision to divert to the nearest major airport with appropriate facilities. At 4:17 a.m. local time, the aircraft landed safely in Athens, where it was met on the tarmac by paramedics and airport authorities.
Greek emergency medical personnel boarded the plane and officially declared Halvorsen deceased before removing his body from the aircraft. Passengers were asked to remain seated during the disembarkation process, which took nearly an hour due to the sensitive nature of the incident.
“We can confirm that United Flight 942 from New York to Dubai diverted to Athens due to a medical emergency involving a passenger who unfortunately passed away in flight,” United Airlines said in a statement Thursday morning. “We extend our deepest condolences to the passenger’s family and friends. The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is our top priority.”
The airline provided accommodations in Athens for affected passengers while authorities conducted routine health inspections and documentation of the incident. By late morning, the aircraft had resumed its journey to Dubai with a replacement crew and continued without further incident.
A Mysterious Health History
Richard Halvorsen’s family, reached by phone in Connecticut, expressed shock at the sudden death, describing the avid traveler as “fit, healthy, and full of life.”
“He had just gotten a clean bill of health three weeks ago,” said his daughter, Emily Halvorsen, 27. “He played tennis twice a week, swam every Sunday, and had zero heart issues that we knew of. He was on his way to Dubai for a photography workshop he’d been looking forward to all year.”
Halvorsen, who retired early at age 55 after a lucrative Wall Street career, had taken up landscape photography in recent years and often traveled alone on extended photography retreats.
“He loved exploring new places through his lens,” Emily added. “He said the desert light in the UAE was ‘otherworldly’ and wanted to capture it for his next exhibition.”
Greek authorities have initiated an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Preliminary reports suggest a possible cardiac arrhythmia, but investigators have not ruled out other medical conditions or the possibility of an adverse drug interaction.
Athens Airport spokesperson Elena Papadopoulos said the incident, while rare, was handled with “professionalism and compassion.”
“We offer our sincere sympathies to the deceased’s family,” she said. “Our emergency response protocols ensured the aircraft landed safely, and we supported both the airline and the passengers throughout the process.”
Passenger Reactions
For many aboard Flight 942, the experience was both sobering and surreal.
“It reminds you how fragile life is,” said Thomas Kwan, a software consultant from San Francisco who was en route to Dubai for a tech conference. “One moment you’re joking with the flight attendants, and the next, you’re watching someone fight for their life in front of you.”
Others praised the airline crew for their swift and calm response under pressure.
“They were incredible,” said passenger Leila Najjar, a Dubai-based art curator. “The way they handled the situation, the empathy they showed—it really made a difference in keeping us all composed.”
Some passengers reported feeling uneasy continuing the flight, with a few choosing to stay in Athens and reschedule their travel plans. United Airlines offered full refunds or flexible rebooking for those who opted not to continue to Dubai.
An Uncommon Occurrence
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in-flight medical emergencies occur in roughly 1 in 600 flights, with in-flight deaths being far rarer—estimated at about 1 per 3 million passengers.
However, experts note that as the global population ages and long-haul international travel increases, airlines must remain vigilant and well-prepared for such scenarios.
“Flight crews are trained extensively in handling medical situations, but ultimately, they can only do so much with the limited resources at 35,000 feet,” said Dr. Marianne Ortiz, an aviation medicine specialist. “The presence of trained medical professionals among passengers often makes a significant difference, but not every emergency can be reversed.”
As for Halvorsen’s family, they hope his death will prompt more airlines to consider installing more advanced medical equipment or exploring options for better access to emergency care during flights.
“We don’t blame anyone,” Emily Halvorsen said. “We just wish there had been more that could be done. He was a remarkable father, and the world’s a little dimmer without him.”
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