Virgin Atlantic Jet Turns Back After Laser Attack on Pilots

  • Boeing 787 returns to Heathrow as beam is directed at cockpit
  • Incidents in the U.S. totaled more than 6,800 last year
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Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. aborted a flight to Israel after a laser beam was shone at the plane’s cockpit from the ground as it departed London Heathrow airport.

The Boeing Co. 787 wide-body jet bound for Tel Aviv turned around over Paris following the incident on Monday night, the U.K. carrier said in a statement. Flight VS453 landed back at Heathrow at about 10:45 p.m., and passengers were offered overnight accommodation before continuing their journeys on Tuesday.