Delta Air Lines Faces Backlash After Passengers Stranded on Remote Island for 12 Hours
Passengers of Delta Air Lines have expressed their frustration and anger on social media after finding themselves unexpectedly stranded for over 12 hours on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The incident occurred when Flight 157, traveling from Ghana to New York, was diverted to the island of Terceira due to a mechanical issue with a backup oxygen system, according to a Delta spokesperson.
Accounts posted by several passengers on social media claim that the 215 stranded passengers were left without food, water, or updates from staff during their time on the island. Nana Asante-Smith, one passenger, took to Facebook and criticized the airline, saying that they experienced “reckless disregard for human life and well-being.”
The passengers, most of whom lacked the necessary visas to freely move around the island and airport, were confined to a partitioned area of the airport, while Delta representatives were reportedly taken to a hotel and were not seen again during the ordeal, as stated by Asante-Smith. She further described the treatment by airport representatives on Terceira Islands as being like “encroaching roaches.”
Passengers had to resort to drinking water from bathroom faucets until a cafe opened later in the day. Asante-Smith mentioned that the distribution of ham sandwiches upset many Muslim passengers who had dietary restrictions.
Kiaundra Eggleston, another passenger, supported Asante-Smith’s account, describing the waiting area as “purgatory.” According to Asante-Smith, upset passengers were warned by airport representatives to avoid starting a “revolution.” Eggleston also stated that a staff member told her to be grateful that the plane had not crashed into the sea.
After enduring the cramped island airport for half a day, the passengers were eventually put on a flight to JFK Airport in New York. However, upon their arrival, they had to fight for reimbursements and restitution for the distressing ordeal they had experienced. Asante-Smith shared that they were met with excuses about the airline being overwhelmed and were asked to save receipts for reimbursement.
Delta informed Insider that passengers were eventually issued refunds. However, the incident has sparked outrage and calls for better treatment and communication from the airline during such situations.