A British Airways cabin crew director died on Friday, April 10 of coronavirus in the same intensive care unit where PM Boris Johnson was being treated.

The airline’s cabin crew director Ian Johnson had been on a ventilator in intensive care at St Thomas’s Hospital in London for ten days.

The much-loved worker, fondly nicknamed Shirley, had last flown from London to Nashville, Tennessee, three weeks ago.

He jetted back on the return service from the US as a passenger on March 17 and is understood to be the first British Airways worker to die from Coronavirus.

Colleagues of the much-loved airline employee of 35 years were grieving last night with some fearful they too may have caught the disease.

One described the steward boss, who often played the flamboyant Dame in the British Airways festive pantomime, as bright light is gone too early.

A close friend broke the devastating news to the crew: It is with a very heavy heart I let the family know that another Angel has got his wings and gone to the room party.

Cabin service director Ian Johnson, aka, Shirley passed away yesterday due to coronavirus.



He had been on a ventilator and sadly did not make it, despite the wonderful care of the staff there.

One said how they had been discussing retirement plans less than three weeks ago.

Around 80% of staff have been put on the government’s reduced furlough scheme, with many sat at home when they would happily be flying.

Others living with vulnerable loved-ones fearing they will catch and spread the virus are being forced to work and by not showing up for duties face the sack.

Many crews are complaining of having to fly with mental health and anxiety issues.

Those still flying have complained they have no protective clothing.

A steward said – I don’t want to work in an environment where I’m highly exposed to a virus we don’t have a cure for with minimum to no protection. I’m angry, sad and feeling down.

Prime Minister Boris was moved to intensive care in St Thomas’s alongside the British Airways veteran on Monday after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.



The PM Boris, 55, was admitted to the hospital with persistent symptoms on Sunday evening.

He was given oxygen in ITU but not put on a ventilator, and last night moved from the emergency unit back to award with the nation praying for his full recovery.

Airline sources said the British Airways worker reported sick 12 days after his last flight well outside the window of possible infection.

And there was no evidence to suggest the cabin service director caught coronavirus onboard a jumbo jet alleviating staff fears.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Mayor apologises for PM ‘deserves this’ comments.