A Delta flight from Boston to Rome was forced to make an emergency landing due to a passenger experiencing severe diarrhea, causing unsanitary conditions onboard.
At a Glance
- Delta flight with 281 passengers diverted to JFK due to a “customer medical issue”
- Airbus A330 turned around over the Atlantic Ocean about an hour into the flight
- Passengers transferred to another plane after landing at JFK
- Similar incident occurred on a Delta flight from Atlanta to Barcelona in September
- Delta apologized for the delay and thanked passengers for their patience
Delta Flight Diverted Due to Medical Emergency
A Delta Air Lines flight carrying 281 passengers from Boston to Rome was forced to make an emergency landing at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport due to a severe diarrhea incident onboard. The Airbus A330 turned around over the Atlantic Ocean approximately one hour into its journey, highlighting the challenges airlines face when dealing with unexpected in-flight medical emergencies.
While Delta initially cited a “customer medical issue” as the reason for the diversion, reports from passengers and social media accounts provided more graphic details of the incident. The Twitter account @OnlyInBoston reported that the emergency involved a passenger experiencing “severe bouts of diarrhea all over their seat.”
"Diarrhea Plane " – Footage of the cabin from the Delta plane headed for Barcelona that had to be diverted to Atlanta due to a passenger having diarrhea all over the plane.#Biohazard #plane #aviation https://t.co/BoDemzjEBO pic.twitter.com/Takc9QPWSC
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 5, 2023
Passenger Transfer and Flight Resumption
Upon landing at JFK, the 281 passengers were transferred to another aircraft to continue their journey to Rome. The original plane resumed service approximately 20 hours after the incident, following necessary cleaning and maintenance procedures.
“Delta apologizes to our customers for the delay in their travels from Boston to Rome on Friday night. We thank them for their patience as the aircraft diverted to New York-JFK before continuing to Rome early Saturday morning.”
This incident underscores the importance of airlines being prepared for various medical emergencies that can occur during flights. While inconvenient for passengers, such diversions are necessary to ensure the health and safety of all onboard.
Previous Delta Diarrhea Incident
Interestingly, this is not the first time Delta has faced such a situation. In September, a similar incident occurred on a flight from Atlanta to Barcelona. In that case, the pilot described the situation as a “biohazard issue,” and footage emerged showing a brown trail down the airplane aisle.
“This is a biohazard issue,” the pilot stated. “We had a passenger who had diarrhea all the way through the airplane so they want us to come back to Atlanta.”
During the Atlanta incident, maintenance crews spent five hours cleaning the plane, including replacing an aisle carpet. Passengers, including the one with diarrhea, re-boarded after an eight-hour delay and reached Barcelona without further incident.
Airline Response and Passenger Safety
These incidents highlight the complex challenges airlines face in managing unexpected medical emergencies while prioritizing passenger safety and comfort. Delta’s swift response in both cases, including diverting flights and thoroughly cleaning affected aircraft, demonstrates the airline’s commitment to maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety.
As air travel continues to recover from the pandemic, incidents like these serve as reminders of the importance of being prepared for various in-flight emergencies. Airlines must balance the need for prompt medical attention with the inconvenience caused to other passengers, always prioritizing the overall well-being of everyone onboard.
