British Airways Flight Returns Safely to Heathrow

British Airways Flight BA295, a Boeing 777-200ER traveling from London Heathrow to Chicago, turned back after a technical issue prompted a steep descent over Ireland from cruising altitude to about 9,000 feet. Oxygen masks deployed, but passengers were told they were not needed once the aircraft was below 10,000 feet. The plane circled over the Bristol Channel and Wales for several hours to burn fuel before landing safely at Heathrow. Passengers disembarked normally, and British Airways was arranging new travel plans, including hotel accommodation for some. The airline has not confirmed the specific cause of the technical issue.