A tragic emergency landing and hours of delay caused massive disruption for the onboard passengers of KLM Flight KL 635. Initially, the flight was destined to depart from Amsterdam and land in Las Vegas, but the unexpected happened, increasing the tension mid-air.
What happened? A deadly crash or something? No, the aircraft grabbed attention by flashing the Squawk 7700 code. Curious to know what the exact situation was at that height? Well, this blog is here to inform readers about the KLM diversion Glasgow incident, alongside explaining the frequency of past incidents involving the airline.
Decoding the KLM Emergency Landing Incident
The emergency landing incident involving the KLM flight happened on May 24, 2025. As reported by the trackers, the KLM KL 635 departed from Amsterdam at around 12:00 UTC. After the take-off, the flight reached a typical transatlantic cruise level and navigated to the north-west toward the transatlantic route.
At around 12:30 UTC, the KLM flight reached the area between Orkney and Shetland and then altered its path back towards Scotland. This diversion indicated that something was wrong with the aircraft.
Soon after, the crew announced Squawk 7700 and alerted all ATC units to a general emergency. Then what? With the announcement, the pilot and crew members acted swiftly and planned a safe landing at the nearest Glasgow Airport (GLA).
Reasons for the Emergency Landing
Based on verified sources, I found multiple reports suggesting two probable reasons: a medical emergency or a technical fault. Moreover, later coverage by Scottish outlets and multiple travel news outlets indicated that KLM sources said the Amsterdam to Las Vegas flight was diverted for a passenger’s medical issues.
Some earlier reports hinted at the technical issues, but the official statement clarified everything as passenger medical issues were the prime reasons for the diversion.
In a statement, a KLM spokesperson mentioned to the Glasgow Times that: “Flight KL635 from Amsterdam to Las Vegas made an unscheduled stop in Glasgow due to a medical emergency.”
What Does The Emergency Code Squawk 7700 Mean?
Airports are equipped with a transponder that broadcasts a special code in aviation. When the crew sets the 7700 squawk code to the transponder, it informs all ATC units simultaneously that the aircraft is undergoing an emergency.
What triggers after the pilot enters the squawk 7700 emergency code? You might be asking something like this? Well, I am here to clarify this. The Squawk code 7700 activates immediate actions, such as:
- Medical emergencies (passenger illness, crew capacity issues)
- Technical failures (engine problems, electrical failures, etc.)
- Fuel emergencies
- Smoke or fire in the cabin/cockpit
- Other life-threatening problems
In an interview, the veteran pilot, Captain Ken Hoke, said the following about the Squawk code 7700: “If a crew resets their transponder to the emergency code of 7700 (squawking 7700), all air traffic control facilities in the area are immediately alerted that the aircraft has an emergency situation.”
“In an international environment where language and communication may be challenging, squawking 7700 makes it very clear to ATC that the crew needs priority and assistance.”
What Happened After the Emergency Landing at Glasgow?
Now that we know the actual KLM Flight KL 635 scenario and the diversion reason, let us dive deeper into how the unscheduled landing in Glasgow was. According to the sources, the aircraft landed safely at Glasgow Airport around 13:00 UTC with no injuries to the passengers. The KLM flight was also diverted to a remote stand/apron beside the main gate, a standard procedure for an emergency landing.
Suggestion: Here’s What Forced a United Airlines Plane to Land at Dulles Unexpectedly.
After the medical teams and emergency services interacted with the aircraft, it was found that the KLM emergency landing was due to a passenger’s medical emergency.
Regarding the issue, passengers were informed about the problem, while the airline ensured that no other illness would affect any traveler. During the inspection, some passengers remained onboard, and a few were in the terminal. Technicians found no issue with the Amsterdam to Las Vegas flight and gave the green signal for the continuation.
Was there a delay? Undoubtedly “Yes”!
Reports indicated the delay didn’t take hours, but approximately 50 minutes to inspect and decide whether to continue the journey.
Impact on Travelers and Flight Schedules
The immediate KLM emergency landing and diversion to GLA caused the passengers to face an unplanned stop. Moreover, the airline prioritized passengers’ safety in such emergencies, which was a standard protocol, but could significantly disrupt many.
Diverting to Glasgow usually resulted in aircraft assignments and crew rotations. Since the squawk 7700 emergency code made the KL flight the highest priority, many other flights might have been delayed.
Other KL flights didn’t face major issues, as the emergency was pointed out and resolved in the air. But the laws were so strict that the pilots had to double-check everything by making an unscheduled landing in Glasgow and then continuing the journey.
How Good is Glasgow at Handling International Flight Emergencies?
Based on the reports and passengers’ reactions, GLA is a well-maintained airport that can carry international flights. Its long runway can accommodate larger aircraft, including transatlantic flights.
In addition, the airport has dedicated medical emergency teams for security, medical, and technical faults. Its convenient location makes it an appropriate choice for flights crossing the North Atlantic.
If I speak honestly, GLA is the best available point to halt and resolve issues in KLM emergency landing situations.
Passengers appreciated GLA’s reliability and quick responses as: “Glasgow airport has been praised for security wait times. One user shared: ‘Just … praise Glasgow airport with the waiting times this morning. Went through security in less than 2 minutes with the new scanners.’”
“Flew out 2 days ago. 8 am flight. Queues were insane … probably 30 mins to hit security. After that, no bother.”
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Similar Past Incidents Involving KLM
Like most well-known airlines, KLM has a long history of diversions for medical and technical issues. GLA is commonly used for emergency landings, like the recent KL 635 Amsterdam to Las Vegas flight, for its incredible infrastructure and active staff. Below is a simple table explaining the KLM’s past diversions and emergency landing incidents:
| Flight | Date | Diversion/Emergency Landing Reason |
| KLM KL 601 | September 2023 | Technical issue |
| KLM KL 705 | January 2020 | Passenger medical emergency mid-flight |
| KLM KL 592 | May 2019 | Technical fault (engine problems) |
| KLM KL 685 | December 2017 | Cabin smoke alert |
It can be well understood that KLM has noticed a decent number of emergencies, particularly due to technical errors. However, none of the landings resulted in an unfortunate disaster, as they were solved immediately after landing at the nearest airport. In such cases, you should check out KLM’s app or official websites before taking the flight for real-time updates and follow the crew’s directions in emergencies.
The Final Talk
The KLM emergency landing at Glasgow is an example of how the aviation industry follows significant rules and regulations to save passengers’ lives in emergencies.
Moreover, whenever you hear about the squawk 7700 emergency code in flight, you should not panic and follow the crew’s instructions properly to ensure safety.
Don’t use mobile phones in emergencies; avoid panicking, as they interrupt the crew’s job and harm the cabin’s atmosphere.
FAQs
Why Did KLM Flight KL 635 Divert to Glasgow?
Based on the sources, KLM Flight KL 635 made an unexpected landing at GLA due to medical issues. According to the reports, an onboard passenger was experiencing medical problems, for which the pilots declared the squawk 7700 emergency code, causing the landing at the nearest suitable airport.
Why are Flights Often Diverted to Glasgow During Emergencies?
GLA was selected for the KLM emergency landing on May 24, 2025, because this diversion point has a well-structured infrastructure for transatlantic emergencies. At Glasgow Airport, you will notice long runways and immediate medical response. The emergency landing was a safety measure that could only be taken in a reputable airport, i.e., GLA.
Do Passengers Get Compensation for Delays Caused by Medical Emergencies?
In most scenarios, passengers didn’t receive compensation for delays caused by medical issues. EU Regulation 261/2004 allows passengers to demand compensation only if the postponement is caused by reasons under the airline’s control, including technical or staffing problems. However, passengers are entitled to assistance from the airline company for the delay.
How Long was KLM KL 635 Delayed after Diverting to Glasgow?
Based on the reports, the KLM Flight KL 635 had an unscheduled landing in Glasgow at around 1-2 PM local time. The flight was safely scheduled to depart again at around 2:50 PM, making the delay about 50 minutes. FlightAware historical data revealed that the delay was approximately 1 hour and 6 minutes.
