Delta flight makes emergency JFK landing after food poisoning scare
5:53 AM EDT, July 4, 2024
A Delta flight traveling from Detroit to Amsterdam made an emergency landing early Wednesday morning at New York's JFK Airport due to food poisoning affecting some passengers after consuming spoiled food. Twenty-four people were taken to the hospital.
Air traffic controllers initially informed airport authorities that 70 of the 227 passengers on board had been affected. As it turned out, 14 passengers and 10 crew members required treatment. It is not precisely known how many people consumed the spoiled food.
"This is not the service Delta is known for, and we sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and delay in their travels," stated an airline spokesperson, who said an internal investigation is underway.
The incident occurred before the extended weekend of American Independence Day on July 4th. It is estimated that 35 million people will travel by plane during this period.
July 4th is one of the busiest days at U.S. airports all year. Delta said it offered its customers hotel accommodations and tickets for Wednesday evening. However, one of the passengers interviewed by the "New York Post" complained that her Thursday night flight to Amsterdam was rescheduled to 4:30 PM.