Three Hospitalized After Suspected Norovirus Outbreak on Eurowings Rhodes–Düsseldorf Flight

October 20, 2026 — Three passengers were taken to hospital after a stomach illness spread through the cabin of a Eurowings flight from Rhodes to Düsseldorf. Norovirus is suspected but has not been confirmed.

What happened

Flight EW9631, an Airbus A321 registered D-AIDT, left Rhodes at about 7:50 p.m. local time on October 18 with 215 passengers and crew returning from holidays in Greece. During the roughly three-and-a-half-hour flight, a number of passengers developed gastrointestinal symptoms. Shortly before landing, the crew asked for medical services to meet the aircraft.

Düsseldorf’s fire department declared a mass casualty incident, and 12 emergency vehicles met the jet, according to Paddle Your Own Kanoo as cited by The Aviation Hub. Three passengers went to hospital; several others were checked by paramedics and allowed to go home. The total number who fell ill has not been published (TBA).

Eurowings has pointed to norovirus as a possible cause. Health authorities had not confirmed it at the time of reporting. The illness did not appear to be linked to the aircraft or to fumes, and no serious injuries have been reported.

What it means for non-revs

No operational impact. There are no reported schedule changes on Eurowings’ Rhodes or Düsseldorf flights.
For crews: norovirus spreads easily in a cabin. Normal hygiene steps, like washing hands and keeping galley surfaces clean, matter on every sector.
If you feel unwell before a trip, stay home. Travel another day rather than bring an illness on board.