A Delta Air Lines flight from Detroit to Amsterdam was forced to make an emergency landing at JFK Airport in New York City after 24 passengers fell ill from consuming spoiled food. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning, with the plane touching down at JFK shortly after 3 a.m. The food served on board was reportedly covered in black mold, leading to the sudden illness of the passengers.
Initially, air traffic controllers reported that up to 70 people might have been affected, but upon landing, only 24 individuals, including 10 crew members, were treated for symptoms by emergency medical services. Fortunately, none of the affected passengers required hospitalization.
The flight, identified as Delta Flight 136, had departed from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and was en route to Amsterdam. The plane had made it as far as Newfoundland before the decision was made to turn back to New York. Flight data confirmed the diversion, which was prompted by the severity of the situation.
Delta Air Lines issued a statement acknowledging the incident, confirming that a portion of the in-flight meal service in the Main Cabin was spoiled. The airline expressed regret over the situation, stating, “This is not the service Delta is known for and we sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and delay in their travels.”
Upon landing, all 277 passengers were provided with hotel accommodations for the night. They were scheduled to continue their journey to Amsterdam the following evening. However, some passengers expressed dissatisfaction with the arrangements. One passenger, identified as Virginia, took to social media to voice her frustration, stating, “I don’t need hotel/food vouchers; I need to arrive in Amsterdam today.” Delta responded to her concerns, asking her to message them privately. Virginia later updated that she had been rebooked on a new flight for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, though she noted the extended travel time had been taxing.
The incident occurred during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, as millions of Americans took to the skies for the July 4th holiday. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had warned that approximately 32 million people would be flying that week, adding strain to an already stretched aviation industry.
Delta’s response included an apology and a commitment to investigate the cause of the spoiled food. A spokesperson for the airline stated, “Delta teams will immediately work to gather information into how this incident occurred.” The airline emphasized that the incident did not reflect their usual standards of service.
This emergency landing follows another recent incident involving Delta Air Lines. In April, a Delta flight from New York to Los Angeles was forced to return to JFK Airport after an emergency slide detached from the aircraft. No injuries were reported in that incident, but it highlighted the challenges and unexpected events that can occur in air travel.
The passengers of Flight 136 were met by medical crews upon landing at JFK. The New York Fire Department (FDNY) confirmed that 12 passengers were checked by ambulance personnel but did not require further hospital treatment. The Port Authority also confirmed that travelers were provided with hotel rooms and transportation and would be rebooked to continue to their destination.
The incident has raised questions about the safety and quality of in-flight meals. While it remains unclear what specific meal was contaminated, the presence of black mold suggests a significant lapse in food safety protocols. Delta’s commitment to investigating the incident will be crucial in preventing similar occurrences in the future.
As the affected passengers continue their journey, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent food safety measures in the airline industry. Delta’s swift response and provision of accommodations demonstrate their commitment to passenger safety and satisfaction, despite the unfortunate circumstances.
Source: New York Post, DailyMail.com, ABC 7 News
