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Delta Passengers Stuck Overnight in Montgomery Amid Severe Weather

Frustrated passengers waiting at Montgomery airport during severe weather

News Summary

Nearly 300 Delta Air Lines passengers were trapped for 15 hours in Montgomery, Alabama, after two international flights were diverted due to severe thunderstorms. Passengers remained on board because of Customs staffing issues and weather-related delays. Relief came in the form of sandwiches after several hours of waiting. Delta has issued a public apology and promised full refunds while addressing policies to prevent future incidents.

Delta Passengers Stuck Overnight in Montgomery Due to Severe Weather and Customs Issues

In a shocking turn of events, nearly 300 Delta Air Lines passengers found themselves trapped for almost 15 hours in Montgomery, Alabama, following the diversion of two international flights. The chaos unfolded when Delta Flight 1828, en route from Cabo San Lucas, and Flight 599, taking off from Mexico City, were forced to alter their course around 10:20 p.m. on Thursday night due to severe thunderstorms hitting Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Diverted Flights and Frustration on the Tarmac

The travelers were initially meant to land at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, but adverse weather conditions there kept them circling in uncertainty. With no available options, both flights landed instead at Montgomery Regional Airport.

Once on the ground, the passengers remained on their aircraft due to a significant issue with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing in Montgomery. Delta Flight 599, carrying 147 passengers, and Flight 1828 with 150 passengers, remained stuck, unable to disembark almost until dawn. The flights faced additional delays because severe lightning activity persisted, further prolonging their tarmac stay. By approximately 5:15 a.m. on Friday, Flight 599 was finally permitted to disembark, though the passengers had to wait at the gate for further assistance.

Flight Crew Challenges and Passenger Exhaustion

Under these challenging circumstances, flight crews exceeded their permitted duty hours, necessitating the dispatch of new crew members from Atlanta to ensure safety and compliance. Passengers onboard expressed frustration and exhaustion after spending a long night confined within the narrow seating of the planes.

Only Offering Sandwiches After Hours of Waiting

As the wait stretched on, some relief arrived in the form of sandwiches and chips provided to the frustrated passengers Friday morning. However, this gesture seemed a poor compensation for the prolonged discomfort experienced by the nearly 300 individuals affected.

Delta’s Response and Next Steps

In light of the distressing experience encountered by their passengers, Delta issued a public apology and confirmed that those affected by the diversion would receive a full refund. The airline emphasized its commitment to conducting a thorough review of the incident to improve procedures and avoid similar occurrences in future situations.

As the dust settles on this unexpected ordeal, one thing is certain: travel disruptions can lead to nights much longer than anticipated. Montgomery will likely be remembered as an unplanned overnight stop for many passengers who just wanted to reach their final destinations.