British Airways A321 returns to Gatwick after cracked cabin window

A British Airways flight bound for Portugal turned around and declared an emergency shortly after departure after a cracked passenger window was reported in the cabin.

The flight, BA2660, was operated by an Airbus A321 registered as G-EUXD. It left London Gatwick Airport for Faro Airport at about 9:00 AM BST. Roughly an hour into the flight, the crew signalled an emergency to air traffic control with a squawk 7700 after identifying damage to a window panel on the right side of the aircraft.

According to communications sent to air traffic control and airline operations, the issue was near row 3R.

Cabin windows are built from several layers, including a structural outer glass layer and an inner scratch pane. Cabin pressure was maintained, but standard safety practice calls for an immediate turn-around and descent to a lower altitude to guard against pressure loss or further damage to the glass.

The pilots aborted the route to Portugal, made a U-turn and returned to London Gatwick, where emergency ground crews were waiting as a precaution.

Diversions of this kind bring aircraft replacement procedures into play so passengers can still reach their destination in the Algarve. Engineering teams were to inspect the damaged window assembly to establish what caused the fracture before the aircraft returned to service.