British Airways plane struck by lightning en route to London’s Heathrow Airport: ‘It was shocking’

Frightening video footage captured the moment a British Airways plane was struck by lightning, one of at least two hit Sunday while flying into London’s busiest airport.

A passenger aboard Flight BA919 captured the lightning hitting the plane’s wing as it soared through an ominously dark sky on its way from Stuttgart in Germany to London’s Heathrow Airport around 2 p.m.

The struck jet was then forced to land in neighboring Gatwick airport an hour late, with the passengers driven the 45 miles back to their original destination.

“It was shocking,” a passenger named Jeco told The Sun, saying that the “BA crew were amazing” during the scare.

A FlightAware map shows the plane’s smooth trip up until the weather conditions wreaked havoc on the region, causing the plane to start circling and moving away from Heathrow.

A British Airways spokesperson confirmed to the outlet that “BA919 diverted to Gatwick” due to “weather-related conditions in the region.”

A second British Airways plane heading from Lisbon to London was also struck by lightning during the powerful storm, according to the Independent. 

“Just got struck by lightning on the approach into Heathrow,” one passenger wrote. 

“It entered just underneath the flight deck and left the tail – we saw it shoot through the cabin. I’d heard of lighting travelling through the cabin before but it was my first time seeing it in real life.”

He continued: “I’d just like to add that the actual flight was unaffected. Customers were kept informed and the flight continued its approach for an uneventful arrival.” 

A spokesperson for Heathrow Airport declined to comment.