Memorial Hospital yesterday hours after she suffered a heart attack.

Delta manager Jackie Zuill said the woman, who leaves a husband and two children in Boston, was a 28-year veteran of the airline.

The incident occurred on Delta Flight 261 bound for Bermuda from Boston with 211 passengers and eight crew aboard.

The woman appeared to be in good health, said Ms Zuill, but during the 90-minute flight to the Island fell ill. The Captain radioed ahead to Bermuda International Airport and upon landing the woman was rushed to hospital where she died shortly after 3 p.m.

Two doctors were on board the flight and administered CPR. Earlier radio reports that the woman had locked herself in a washroom are untrue, said Ms Zuill.

Shortly after the tragedy said Ms Zuill, Delta cancelled its Bermuda-Atlanta flight because crew members were too distraught to carry on. It was subsequently reinstated and Flight 261 left the Island at 5.40 p.m., four hours behind schedule.