British Airways jumbo jet declares emergency over UK airspace - this is why

A British Airways jumbo jet flying from Seattle to London Heathrow declared an emergency this morning.
The British Airways flight was travelling from Seattle to Heathrow when it declared an emergency. Photo - Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty ImagesThe British Airways flight was travelling from Seattle to Heathrow when it declared an emergency. Photo - Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
The British Airways flight was travelling from Seattle to Heathrow when it declared an emergency. Photo - Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

The Boeing 747 declared the emergency at around 11.45am while over Northern Ireland.

The aircraft requested a priority landing into Heathrow as a precaution due to a customer requiring medical assistance.