A Delta Air Lines flight traveling internationally was forced to make an emergency landing after passengers reported being served spoiled food. This incident marks the second consecutive day that Delta has had to remove certain meal options due to concerns from the same catering supplier.
The Delta flight, en route from Detroit to Amsterdam, experienced a significant disruption when several passengers became sick after consuming what they described as moldy chicken. The concerning reports from passengers about the contaminated food prompted the flight crew to divert the aircraft to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York as a precaution.
Delta Air Lines confirmed the incident, stating that Flight 136 was diverted “out of an abundance of caution” after reports of food quality issues. Following the Wednesday incident, the airline took proactive steps to adjust food service on approximately 75 international flights. Economy class passengers were offered a pasta-only meal option as a temporary measure. This revised meal plan was also implemented on Thursday to further mitigate any potential risks associated with the food from the concerned caterer.
Emergency Landing and Passenger Well-being
On Wednesday, Delta Flight 136 pilots requested medical personnel to be ready upon arrival at JFK, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The emergency landing occurred at approximately 4 a.m. local time. There were 277 passengers aboard the flight, and reports indicate that over a dozen individuals experienced illness after eating the potentially contaminated food. Passengers recounted that the pilot informed them about the issue, specifically mentioning contaminated chicken.
Despite the unsettling mid-flight emergency, it is reported that no passengers required further medical attention after landing. Delta provided accommodations and meal vouchers to the affected passengers, acknowledging the disruption and inconvenience caused by the spoiled food incident.
Delta Launches Investigation and Apologizes
Delta Air Lines has issued a formal apology for the incident, emphasizing that they are taking the matter seriously. Corporate Communications Spokesperson Lisa Hanna stated, “This is not the service Delta is known for, and we sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and delay in their travels.”
The airline has initiated a thorough investigation into the spoiled food incident. Delta’s Food Safety team is actively working with their suppliers to isolate the suspect food product and determine the root cause of the contamination. This investigation aims to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future and to ensure the safety and quality of in-flight meals for Delta passengers.
The ongoing situation underscores the critical importance of food safety protocols within the airline industry and the potential impact of food quality issues on flight operations and passenger well-being.
