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Things literally became sickeningly hot for some Delta Air Lines passengers trying to fly to Atlanta yesterday. (As the parent of a young child, this is the stuff of nightmares.)
Delta flight DL555 was scheduled to depart Harry Reid Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) at 1:47 PM PDT on Monday, July 17. But Fox News field producer Krista Garvin tweeted that the flight was missing a flight attendant. That situation was eventually remedied. FlightAware data shows the plane pushed from the gate at 3:31 PM.
It went downhill from there. The flight was delayed for a long time; air conditioning was either unavailable or didn’t work well. Ms. Garvin posted that passengers had to “sit for almost 3 hours on a hot plane in 111 degree weather.”
In an interview on Fox News’ America Reports, she said some passengers were vomiting. Fox Business’ Stephen Sorace writes, “The situation worsened and flight attendants were seen running up and down the aisles with oxygen tanks. Multiple passengers had passed out and some had soiled themselves.”
Lovely.
EMTs eventually arrived on the scene.
“Paramedics are on now. I’ve seen a total of three people wheeled out so far. Oxygen tanks are being pulled out. They said to press your call button if you need medical assistance. Babies are screaming crying. They’re handing out sandwiches to the diabetics,” she tweeted.
Paramedics are on now. I’ve seen a total of three people wheeled out so far. Oxygen tanks are being pulled out. They said to press your call button if you need medical assistance. Babies are screaming crying. They’re handing out sandwiches to the diabetics. I am 🤯.
— Krista Garvin (@Kristaanngarvin) July 18, 2023
She said passengers eventually were deplaned because “too many people were sick and they want to try and cool down” the 757-300.
Finally decided to take everyone off because too many people were sick and they want to try and cool down the plane. Praying they let us back on or we will be stuck here. pic.twitter.com/ds21XE3CXM
— Krista Garvin (@Kristaanngarvin) July 18, 2023
She reports the crew fell ill — and then the flight was “delayed until further notice.”
We’ve now been told the crew has fallen Ill and we will be delayed until further notice.
— Krista Garvin (@Kristaanngarvin) July 18, 2023
DL555 was eventually canceled.
Delta’s Actions and Comment
Delta tells us they know at least one passenger treated by first responders for a heat-related issue.
The airline also said affected passengers received direct apologies and “compensatory gestures” for the incident. They also were accommodated on other flights.
“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 cancelation,” a Delta spokesperson said. “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.”
Final Approach
This situation sounds horrific; I can’t imagine what everyone on board went through. My heart goes out to them.
I shudder whenever I hear stories like this because my first thought is always about my daughter. Even though something like this is (likely) the airline’s fault, I’d still feel awful if she were in this situation.
(Remember to bring water with you on board your flights!)
I hope everyone is on the mend and on their to (or already arrived at!) their destinations.
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What in the hell gives airlines the right to force passengers to sit on the tarmac for hours and not let passengers who want off to get off the aircraft?
In the tweets, she said, “Can get off but there isn’t another flight out to ATL for days.” After three hours is when the airlines start getting in trouble.
In that heat, they should have been deplaned no more than 30 minutes after waiting for the flight attendant. Yeah, I know it takes about 45 minutes to board a 757 but that’s a massive failure on Delta’s part. So instead of being an extra hour late they’re a day (or more) late or receiving medical care. Somehow I don’t think that’s a good tradeoff.
If that were me Delta would have to pony up pretty good for that mishap and the people who needed to make the call earlier should have to be retrained. Or sit in a hot tin box for 4 hours.
I think the plane was initially delayed prior to boarding because the FA wasn’t there.
Once everyone was on board and the plane pushed is when the fun and games started.
Still, sitting that long waiting for a FA is ridiculous even at the gate. After an hour some people need to move out of their seat. Never mind the fact that the plane is an oven even in temperatures 30-some degrees cooler than Las Vegas this time of year.
I don’t know. I can’t think of anything positive to say on the airline’s behalf on this one. They really screwed the pooch here. They will be lucky to dodge any lawsuits.
obese people – many of the passengers – have limited ability to self-cool due to increased body mass and impaired metabolism limiting natural body cooling.
Chris,
Have you or Rene noticed that if you’re awarded the “Bags On Time” bonus, they show up on your “Recent” activity but don’t reflect in your mileage balance? Several phones calls to the DM line and was told that Delta is aware but is still working on a computer fix. How many people noticed?
Oh, wow. Interesting. I haven’t noticed. Anyone here?
Patience. It takes 48-72 hours to update your SM balance. If you have a DL Amex the online balance is immediately updated there. So your Amex will show your balance as 2,500 miles higher than DL shows.
What is this “patience” word of which you speak? I’m not familiar 😉 .
@Bridge – I haven’t had the issue with the bag miles, but have with random things like Starbucks and Natural Gas points posting in the list, but not being included in the total for ~24 hours after posting. For whatever reason Delta seems to have a lag from posting to increasing your total balance. Flight miles seem to adjust your total right away.
Thanks for the reply. I’ll keep my eyes open but nothing to report yet.
I wasn’t on that plane but I was in Vegas at that time. It was hotter than 111. Vegas tends to dummy-down the heat when it gets like this. I had 114. More likely 115 – 117. But still haven’t tipped over 120 yet for this year.
Thanks. I’ll keep an eye on it. Just surprised to see it “Account Activity” but not reflected in the balance. One datapoint was last Friday morning, so I’ll give it to next Monday. Thanks again.
Two words: Delta IT.
Similar happened to us a few years ago. 114 degrees we landed but there was no gate available for what ended up being 3 hours. The plane is sitting on the tarmac, engines off there is no air conditioning and they ran out of water. Door remained closed. We were never allowed the choice of getting out captain said there were no stairs available . “One guy shout the emergency slide us off” people started chanting “let us off” A few fainted ,I thought my husband was going to have a heart attack. It started getting out of control ,shouting, arguing people getting out of their seats trying to get to the door ,flight attendants threatening to have passengers arrested if they did not go back to seats. Some said “go ahead arrest me at least the cops will open the door and I can get out of here” I’m getting off and will tell cops to arrest the airline for abuse” FA’s gave up trying to control the situation. We finally got word there was a gate but then we rolled closer but were delayed again again it was getting dicey. When 3 hours later got off the airport was in chaos. So sounds like nothing has changed the airlines did not learn from that mistake. I thought there is supposed to be protocols for this stuff? Passengers bill of rights? Avoid Las Vegas and Phoenix for that matter when it is so hot.
Crazy!!