Air Canada #AC35 departed to Brisbane, then returned to Vancouver 4 hours later

On September 13, 2024, Air Canada flight AC35, operating a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, left Vancouver for Brisbane, Australia, at 11:30 PM PDT. Approximately two hours into the journey, the flight had to return to Vancouver due to a medical emergency on board. After landing back at Vancouver International Airport after four hours and two minutes, the aircraft underwent a crew change and refueling. It subsequently took off again the next day at 9:57 AM PDT, completing the flight to Brisbane in 13 hours and 50 minutes, resulting in an overall delay of more than 10 hours. In the realm of transportation, such incidents highlight the importance of rapid medical response protocols on long-haul flights. Airlines must be equipped not only with the necessary medical personnel but also with advanced medical resources to handle emergencies effectively in the air. Additionally, this situation underscores the critical need for robust contingency planning that allows crews to adapt quickly to unexpected events, ensuring passenger safety while striving to minimize delays.