Pilot dies in mid-flight over Atlantic

A US Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman confirmed today that a Continental Airlines pilot has died in mid-flight from Belgium to the US.

Spokeswoman Arlene Salac says the airline alerted the FAA around 3.30pm Irish time today that Flight 61 from Brussels to Newark, New Jersey, was being flown by two co-pilots.

The plane landed safely at the airport.

Airline spokeswoman Kelly Cripe says the pilot died of natural causes. Ms Cripe said he was a 61-year-old man with more than 20 years of service to the airline.

She says the flight continued safely with two other pilots at the controls.

There were 247 passengers aboard the Boeing 777.