American Airlines 777 Crew Serve in Dark on LHR–LAX

Cabin crew on an American Airlines Boeing 777 operated a transatlantic flight from London Heathrow to Los Angeles while relying on emergency flashlights after galley lighting failed prior to departure.

Flight AA137 departed Heathrow on February 14, 2026, despite non-functioning galley lights. Under standard safety regulations, each flight attendant is required to carry a working flashlight for emergency use. Those devices were used to illuminate workspaces as crew members prepared and served meals during the long-haul flight.

Video shared online showed flashlights positioned near jumpseats and in galley areas to provide temporary lighting. Working in reduced visibility can complicate meal preparation and beverage service, particularly when handling hot liquids, and may slow overall cabin service.

Airlines operate under Minimum Equipment List (MEL) procedures, which allow certain non-critical systems to remain inoperative for a limited time provided safety is not compromised. Galley lighting typically falls into this category if alternative lighting sources are available and required safety standards are met.

Dispatching the aircraft rather than delaying the flight likely avoided wider operational disruption. Heathrow is one of the world’s most slot-constrained airports, and extended maintenance delays can trigger cascading issues involving gate availability, crew duty limits and aircraft rotations. Electrical faults can also take significant time to diagnose, and replacement components may not be immediately accessible.

Although the aircraft remained safe to operate, working conditions for the cabin crew were less than ideal. Limited lighting reduces efficiency in confined galley spaces, increases the risk of minor injuries such as spills or burns, and can affect overall service timing on long-haul routes.

American Airlines had not issued a public statement on the incident at the time of reporting.

The event underscores the operational balancing act airlines face between maintaining schedule reliability and ensuring optimal onboard service conditions. While regulatory compliance permitted the flight to proceed, the incident highlights how even minor technical issues can affect crew workload and passenger experience on international services.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aviationa2z.com