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Last week, I wrote about a JetBlue flight that diverted due to lack of air conditioning and several people needing medical attention as a result (more here). Yesterday, a Delta Air Lines flight departing Las Vegas encountered a similar situation when passengers were made to wait three hours at the gate, without air conditioning, in 114-degree weather.
Delta Air Lines flight DL555 was scheduled to fly from Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) on a 757-300 yesterday. Passengers boarded and sat for three hours before the flight was eventually cancelled, but not before several had to put on oxygen masks and a few were taken off the plane on stretchers (including one flight attendant).
Fox Weather reports that the delay was initially caused by the lack of enough flight attendants. As One Mile at a Time pointed out, this is weird because a plane can not be boarded without the full lot of flight attendants required by the FAA to operate it onboard.
The aircraft was not cooling properly and passengers began feeling ill. Some vomited and others donned oxygen masks. The sweltering heat made many want to deplane, but they were told by gate agents that if they did it might be days before they were able to get on another flight to Atlanta due to planes being so full. After four hours on the plane, paramedics were called. Passengers were asked to ring their call buttons if they needed medical attention. Those that needed assistance were taken off the plane and treated. At this point, the entire plane was asked to head back into the airport.
Delta released the following statement:
We apologize for the experience our customers had on flight 555 from Las Vegas to Atlanta on July 17, which ultimately resulted in a flight cancellation. Delta teams are looking into the circumstances that led to uncomfortable temperatures inside the cabin, and we appreciate the efforts of our people and first responders at Harry Reid International.”
One passenger took to Twitter to share her experience:
Can get off but there isn’t another flight out to ATL for days. 😂😂😂. This is actually nuts.
— Krista Garvin (@Kristaanngarvin) July 18, 2023
I am just shook. #delta #deltaairlines pic.twitter.com/FE5b5WIPba
— Krista Garvin (@Kristaanngarvin) July 18, 2023
We’ve now been told the crew has fallen Ill and we will be delayed until further notice.
— Krista Garvin (@Kristaanngarvin) July 18, 2023
This is a bad situation and was poorly handled by Delta. Passengers should never be made to feel like dogs trapped in a parked car. At the first signs of passengers feeling ill (and even before if the cooling issue was noted), passengers should have deplaned and either been made to wait for repairs or an alternate flight. Threatening that they would not be able to get home for days is also poor form.
Anthony’s Take: If I was on the plane, I would have gotten off way before the pandemonium that ensued occurred. Delta handled this poorly and I hope they issue each passenger generous compensation for this situation that was completely within the airline’s control.
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1 comment
Good job, Delta. Now the passengers you kept roasting on the plane for three hours then whose flight you canceled can jot down phone numbers from the myriad billboards of injury lawyers outside the airport.