Passenger encounters attempts by birds to board Delta Airlines aircraft during flight.
Minneapolis-boundDelta Flight 2348 encounters unexpected delay due to uninvited aviators
A flight from Minneapolis to Madison, Wisconsin experienced a 56-minute delay on Saturday after two unexpected avian travelers attempted to hitch a ride on the aircraft. The wild pigeons were discovered among the 119 passengers and five crew members aboard the Delta Air Lines flight.
Passenger Tom Caw described the bizarre scene, sharing, "When I got on the plane, I initially heard a passenger tell a flight attendant that she thinks there's a pigeon on the plane, and I looked at her and thought, 'what is she talking about?'"
True to the passenger's concern, Caw heard a commotion a few rows ahead soon after buckling his seat belt. Baggage handlers were summoned onboard to remove the first bird, followed by a second one emerging as the plane prepared for takeoff.
One bird strutted up the aisle, causing a flurry among the passengers. A passenger attempted to capture the bird in a jacket; however, the attempt was unsuccessful, sending it flying through the cabin. Video recordings from Caw show the erratic flight of the bird and the scramble by one of the passengers to catch it.
The pilot requested permission to return to the gate due to the "wildlife situation on the plane." Air traffic controllers expressed surprise and concern, with one remarking, "There is a pigeon on the plane, and it won't go away? That's a first for me. Wow... Oh my goodness, that is insane."
The second bird was safely removed upon the flight's return to the gate, allowing the plane to continue its journey to Madison approximately an hour later than scheduled. Delta Air Lines issued a statement, expressing their appreciation for the actions of their staff and passengers that resulted in the safe removal of the birds.
While bird-related delays are not common for airlines like Delta, they can cause significant disruptions in the aviation industry. Bird strikes, in which birds collide with airplanes, are a more prevalent concern, potentially causing damage and accidents. However, incidents like the Minneapolis-to-Madison flight are rare.
Despite the unexpected avian travelers, causing a 56-minute delay on Delta Flight 2348, passenger Tom Caw's lifestyle was enriched by the exotic experience of sharing a flight with wild pigeons. His travel story now includes an unforeseen adventure, reminding him of the unpredictability of aviation.
