A Delta Air Lines flight en route to Amsterdam was forced to make an unscheduled landing at John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport in New York City early Wednesday morning after concerns arose about the quality of the in-flight meals served to passengers.
Delta Flight 136, operating an Airbus A330 aircraft and carrying approximately 300 individuals, was traveling from Detroit when the issue was identified. According to the airline, it was “discovered” that a portion of the meal service may have been spoiled. In response to passenger concerns, the flight crew consulted with medical professionals, who advised diverting the aircraft to JFK Airport as a precautionary measure. Flight tracking data indicates that the plane reversed course over eastern Canada before heading to New York. The flight landed safely at JFK around 4 a.m.
While the exact number of passengers who consumed the potentially contaminated food remains unclear, initial reports from passengers suggest the chicken served as part of the in-flight meal was the source of concern. Details regarding the nature and extent of the spoilage have not been publicly disclosed by Delta.
Upon arrival at JFK, medical personnel were immediately dispatched to the aircraft to assess and assist any passengers or crew members who may have been affected. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that a total of 24 individuals – comprising 10 crew members and 14 passengers – underwent medical evaluation at the airport. Despite the incident, all 24 individuals declined transportation to a hospital, indicating that, while unpleasant, the effects of the spoiled food were not severe enough to require hospitalization.
Delta Air Lines has taken steps to accommodate the disrupted travelers. All passengers were provided with hotel accommodations and transportation while awaiting further arrangements. The airline confirmed that passengers were rebooked on a flight scheduled to depart Wednesday evening, ensuring they would still reach their intended destination of Amsterdam, albeit with a significant delay.
In a public statement, Delta issued an apology for the disruption and inconvenience caused by the spoiled food incident. “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 stated.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also acknowledged the incident, confirming the safe diversion of Delta Flight 136 to JFK. The FAA reported that the flight crew had communicated concerns about “several sick passengers” to air traffic control prior to landing, further underscoring the impact of the spoiled food on those onboard. The flight had originated from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, adding to the journey’s unfortunate turn of events.
