A Delta Air Lines flight en route to Amsterdam was forced to make an unscheduled landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) early Wednesday morning after the crew discovered potentially spoiled food had been served to passengers. Delta Flight 136, operating an Airbus A330, was carrying nearly 300 individuals when the incident occurred.
Mid-flight, concerns arose regarding the quality of some in-flight meals. Following consultation with medical professionals, Delta flight crew decided to divert the aircraft to JFK Airport in Queens as a precautionary measure. Flight tracking data from Flight Aware indicates the plane reversed its course over eastern Canada before heading to New York. The flight landed safely at JFK around 4:00 a.m.
While details regarding the extent of the spoilage and the number of passengers affected remain unclear, initial reports from passengers suggest the suspect food item was chicken.
Upon arrival at JFK, medical teams were immediately dispatched to the aircraft to assess and assist any passengers or crew members who may have been impacted. According to the Port Authority, 24 individuals – 14 passengers and 10 crew members – were evaluated by medical personnel on the ground. Despite the food concerns, all 24 individuals declined transportation to a hospital after the evaluations.
Passengers aboard the diverted Delta flight were provided with hotel accommodations and transportation while Delta arranged for them to continue their journey. The airline rebooked passengers on a flight scheduled for Wednesday evening to Amsterdam.
Delta Air Lines issued an apology for the disruption, stating, “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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the diversion and the safe landing of Flight 136 at JFK. The FAA also noted that the flight crew had reported “several sick passengers” prior to the plane’s arrival, further underscoring the concerns about the in-flight food. The flight originated from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).
Delta Airlines Logo on Aircraft Tail
This incident involving Delta flight diverting to JFK airport after serving spoiled food highlights the critical importance of food safety protocols in air travel and the measures airlines take to prioritize passenger well-being even when unexpected issues arise mid-flight.
