Virgin Atlantic B789 at London on Mar 15th 2021, laser injures captain
Last Update: March 16, 2021 / 14:45:31 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Mar 15, 2021
Classification
Accident
Airline
Virgin Atlantic
Flight number
VS-453
Departure
London Heathrow, United Kingdom
Destination
Tel Aviv, Israel
Aircraft Registration
G-VDIA
Aircraft Type
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
ICAO Type Designator
B789
The airline reported a laser beam from the ground was shone into the cockpit upon departure. The crew swiftly reported the laser occurrence to ATC and police. Later the crew needed to return to London. The flight was postponed to the following day.
Israeli media report, the perpetrator operating the laser was arrested.
A replacement Boeing 787-9 registration G-VAHH reached Tel Aviv as flight VS-453A the following day with a delay of 12.5 hours.
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Mar 15, 2021
Classification
Accident
Airline
Virgin Atlantic
Flight number
VS-453
Departure
London Heathrow, United Kingdom
Destination
Tel Aviv, Israel
Aircraft Registration
G-VDIA
Aircraft Type
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
ICAO Type Designator
B789
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source
You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.
Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!
Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.
Send tip
Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.
Related articles
Fleet type match
Virgin Atlantic B789 near Stornoway on Sep 17th 2023, fuel system fault
A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9, registration G-VDIA performing flight VS-23 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Los Angeles,CA (USA), was enroute at…
Fleet type match
Virgin Atlantic A339 over Atlantic on May 30th 2026, engine stall in flight
A Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-900, registration G-VTOM performing flight VS-165 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Montego Bay (Jamaica) with 246…
Fleet type match
Virgin Atlantic A333 at Washington on Mar 20th 2026, lightning strike, engine stall
A Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-300, registration G-VSXY performing flight VS-22 from Washington Dulles,DC (USA) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was…
Fleet type match
Virgin Atlantic B789 near Goose Bay on Jul 7th 2025, temporary loss of cabin pressure
A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9, registration G-VSPY performing flight VS-156 (dep Jul 6th) from Las Vegas,NV (USA) to London Heathrow,EN (UK). was…
Fleet type match
Virgin Atlantic A35K over Atlantic on Mar 6th 2025, hydraulic failure
A Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350-1000, registration G-VPOP performing flight VS-3 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to New York JFK,NY (USA), was enroute at…
Fleet type match
Virgin Atlantic A339 over Atlantic on Dec 17th 2024, multiple system failures
A Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-900, registration G-VLDY performing flight VS-118 (dep Dec 16th) from Miami,FL (USA) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was…
Newest articles
Fleet type match
France A320 at Ajaccio on Aug 20th 2025, turbulence injures 5
An Air France Airbus A320-200, registration F-HBNJ performing flight AF-4236 from Paris Orly to Ajaccio (France), was descending through FL200…
Fleet type match
BAW A20N at London on Jul 22nd 2026, hydraulic failure
A British Airways Airbus A320-200N, registration G-TTNR performing flight BA-547 from Rome Fiumicino (Italy) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was on final…
Subscribe today
Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.
Pick your plan and subscribePartner
ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.
SafetyScan Pro provides streamlined access to thousands of aviation accident reports. Tailored for your safety management efforts. Book your demo today
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways