Fact Check: A British Airways flight BA35, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, returned to London’s Heathrow Airport mid-flight due to a technical issue on June 15, 2025.

Fact Check: British Airways Flight BA35 Returns Mid-Flight Due to Technical Issue

What We Know

On June 15, 2025, British Airways flight BA35, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, made a precautionary return to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) shortly after takeoff. The flight was en route to Chennai International Airport (MAA) when a technical issue was detected. According to reports, the flight took off at 1:16 PM local time after a brief delay and circled over the Strait of Dover before safely landing back at Heathrow. British Airways confirmed that this return was a standard safety procedure and not an emergency landing, emphasizing their commitment to passenger safety ([Aviation A2Z](https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/06/16/british-airways-london-chennai-flight-with-787-made-u-turn/#:~:text=LONDON%2D%20A%20British%20Airways%20(BA,route%20to%20Chennai%20(MAA).), Hindustan Times).

The aircraft, registered as G-ZBJG, was approximately two hours into its flight when the decision to return was made. British Airways stated that all passengers and crew disembarked normally upon landing, and no injuries were reported (Firstpost, The Hindu).

Analysis

The claim that British Airways flight BA35 returned to London due to a technical issue is substantiated by multiple sources. Reports consistently indicate that the flight experienced a technical anomaly, prompting the crew to follow standard safety protocols by returning to the departure airport. The airline's communication reinforced that the situation was managed without distress, and the return was precautionary rather than indicative of a severe emergency (Travel and Tour World, Deccan Herald).

The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they include established news outlets and aviation-specific reporting platforms. However, some reports did not disclose specific details about the nature of the technical issue, which could lead to speculation. For instance, while some sources mentioned a "flap failure," others did not provide this detail, indicating a potential gap in information that could affect public perception of the incident's severity (Travel and Tour World, Paddle Your Own Kanoo).

Conclusion

The claim that British Airways flight BA35 returned to London’s Heathrow Airport mid-flight due to a technical issue on June 15, 2025, is True. Multiple credible sources confirm that the flight experienced a technical anomaly, leading to a precautionary return. The airline's adherence to safety protocols and the absence of any reported injuries further support this conclusion.

Sources

1. [British Airways London to Chennai Flight with 787 Made U-Turn](https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/06/16/british-airways-london-chennai-flight-with-787-made-u-turn/#:~:text=LONDON%2D%20A%20British%20Airways%20(BA,route%20to%20Chennai%20(MAA).)
2. Chennai-bound British Airways Boeing aircraft returns to ...
3. Chennai-bound British Airways Boeing Dreamliner returns to London mid-air due to technical snag
4. Chennai-bound British Airways flight returns to London ...
5. British Airways Dreamliner Makes Emergency Turnaround ...
6. British Airways Flight Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to Chennai ...
7. British Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to India Dumps Fuels ...
8. British Airways Chennai flight returns to London mid-air ...