A Virgin Atlantic flight bound for JFK Airport in New York was diverted to London Heathrow after the first officer failed the airline’s final flight test.
Flight VS3 was around 40 minutes into its voyage on Monday when a “rostering error” occurred, forcing the plane to return to London, according to an airline representative.
The first officer came on board in 2017 and is qualified according to UK flight laws, but the airline’s internal “final assessment” flight was required, according to the statement.
The flight’s captain, who is “highly experienced” and has worked for Virgin Atlantic for 17 years, did not have designated trainer status, and the first officer was replaced by a new pilot, according to Virgin Atlantic.
Both pilots were completely licensed and competent to fly the plane, according to the firm, and the pairing did not violate any aviation or safety standards.
The airline, however, stated that the circumstance did not meet Virgin Atlantic’s internal training requirements, forcing the decision to return.
In a statement, a Virgin Atlantic official said:
Passengers on the flight arrived in New York two hours and forty minutes later than expected, for which the airline apologized.
“Both pilots were suitably licensed and qualified to execute the flight,” the UK Civil Aviation Authority said.
