Virgin flight turns back after captain is told first officer did not complete training

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Virgin flight turns back after captain is told first officer did not complete training | Secret Flying

Virgin flight returns to Heathrow after pilot roster error.

 

A New York-bound Virgin Atlantic plane turned back to Heathrow after it emerged the first officer had not completed his final flying test.

 

The Airbus A330 jet was nearly 40 minutes into its journey when the two pilots on board became aware of the “rostering error.”

 

Flight VS3 had reached the skies over Ireland before returning to Heathrow, touching down more than one-and-a-half hours after it took off.

 

Upon landing in Heathrow, the trainee pilot was replaced and the plane departed again for New York.

 

The airline insists safety was not compromised.

 

 

A Virgin Atlantic spokeswoman said: “Due to a rostering error, flight VS3 from London Heathrow to New York-JFK returned to Heathrow on Monday 2nd May shortly after take-off.

 

“The qualified first officer, who was flying alongside an experienced captain, was replaced with a new pilot to ensure full compliance with Virgin Atlantic’s training protocols, which exceed industry standards.

 

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers, who arrived two hours and 40 minutes later than scheduled as a result of the crew change.”