Many passengers report illness on Vancouver-Houston flight

United Airlines said it removed a plane from its fleet for a “deep cleaning” as a precaution, after many passengers aboard a flight Friday (May 31) from Vancouver to Houston, Texas, felt ill.

The airline said in a statement to Black Press Media that all of the ill passengers came from the same cruise before boarding the plane, but did not specify which cruise it was.

“United Airlines is actively coordinating with health authorities to address the situation,” the media relations team said.

The airline did not say how many passengers reported feeling sick, but the Houston Fire Department told local media it was about 25 people.

The flight, United 1528, departed Vancouver at 12:10 p.m. PT and landed in Houston at 6:40 p.m. PT. According to United Airlines, 163 passengers and six crew members were on board.

The aircraft was temporarily removed from service for cleaning.

READ ALSO: British Columbia killer Robert Pickton dead, days after prison attack

ALSO READ: BC unnecessary mastectomy compensation reduced from $400,000 to $250,000