British Airways crew boss dies from coronavirus in a hospital bed alongside recovering Boris Johnson

A BRITISH Airways crew boss died yesterday of coronavirus in a hospital bed alongside recovering Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The airline’s cabin service director Ian Johnson had been on a ventilator in intensive care at St Thomas’s Hospital in London for ten days.

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The much-loved worker, fondly nicknamed ‘Shirley’, had last flown from London to Nashville, Tennessee, three weeks ago.

He jetted back on the return service from the US as a passenger on March 17, and is understood to be the first BA worker to die from Covid-19.

Colleagues of the much-loved airline employee of 35 years were grieving last night – with some fearful they too may have caught the disease.

One described the steward boss, who often played the flamboyant Dame in the BA festive pantomime, as a “bright light gone too early”.

A close friend broke the devastating news to crew: “It is with a very heavy heart I let the family know that another Angel has got his wings and gone to the room party.

“Cabin service director Ian Johnson, aka, Shirley passed away yesterday due to covid-19.

“He had been on a ventilator and sadly did not make it, despite the wonderful care of the staff there..

“Jokingly we called each other husband and wife, well Ian my heart is broken and your ‘wife’ will love you forever. Fly high darling.”

Pals remembered the BA worker, who also served as a counsellor to crew and was believed to be in his late 50s, as a “wonderful, fun, radiant and generous” person.

One said how they had been discussing retirement plans less than three weeks ago.

Another commented: “We are lucky that our job has afforded us the luxury of flying with and meeting many stars. But none shone brighter than Ian he really was a Supernova among stars.”

Mr Johnson, who leaves a sister Wendy who works at Virgin Atlantic, posed for photos at a colleague’s wedding last year.

The Sun told how BA crew have hit out at the “Russian roulette” system of being chosen to continue flying amid coronavirus terror.

Rather than use a volunteer list of workers wanting to take to the skies, stewards and stewardesses have been chosen indiscriminately.

Around 80% of staff have been put on the government’s reduced furlough scheme, with many sat at home when they would happily be flying.

Others living with vulnerable loved-ones fearing they will catch and spread the virus are being forced to work – and by not showing up for duties face the sack.

Many crew are complaining of having to fly with “mental health and anxiety issues”.

Those still flying have complained they have no protective clothing.

A steward said: “I don’t want to work in an environment where I’m highly exposed to a virus we don’t have a cure for with minimum to no protection. I’m angry, sad and feeling down.”

PM Boris Johnson was moved to intensive care in St Thomas’s alongside the BA veteran on Monday after his coronavirus symptoms “worsened”.

The prime minister, 55, was admitted to hospital with “persistent symptoms” on Sunday evening.

He was given oxygen in ITU but not put on a ventilator, and last night moved from the emergency unit back to a ward with the nation praying for his full recovery.

Airline sources said the BA worker reported sick 12 days after his last flight – well outside the window of possible infection.

And there was no evidence to suggest the cabin service director caught coronavirus onboard a jumbo jet – alleviating staff fears.

A British Airways spokesman told The Sun: “Our thoughts are with Ian’s family and friends at this sad time.”