Pigeons cause chaos on Delta flight — Watch the shocking cabin video that went viral
Two pigeons caused delays on a Delta flight to Madison, with one bird flying down the aisle mid-taxi.
One of Delta Air Lines flights scheduled to depart Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on Saturday was delayed after two pigeons were found inside the cabin, creating an unexpected ruckus. The flight to Madison, Wisconsin, was taxied back to the gate after a passenger named on Instagram as Tom Caw spotted one of the birds.
According to Caw, the pilot also made an announcement about the arrival of the first pigeon, and the bird had to be returned to the terminal for removal. But as the flight taxied for takeoff again, a second pigeon unexpectedly came in and flew down the aisle, generating howls that other passengers could hear.
Video captures unusual mid-cabin flight
Video posted to social media by Caw and later obtained by NBC News shows the second bird circling the cabin. The pilot informed air traffic control about the event, Caw said, and added that it was the second pigeon event of the day. "The guy said that was a first for him. Pilot told him it was the second time for him," Caw wrote.
Delta later issued an apology statement to passengers for the delay. "Delta appreciates our people and our customers' cautious efforts to safely remove two birds from the plane prior to departure," the airline said. Caw also reported that the second pigeon was eventually removed by a baggage handler prior to the flight's takeoff again.
Social media reacts to feathered intruders
The unexpected bird drop-ins brought widespread amusement online. In an ironic aside, Caw joked that "the pigeons were tired of flying and required refreshments," speculating that they possibly didn't realize the brief flight would not have drink service. The spectacle was popular quickly on Instagram and news outlets, rising to be one of the more unusual flight delays in history.
Pigeon sightings on commercial flights are extremely infrequent, and Delta's response speaks to the unusual event. Due to the disruption, though, the plane did finally make it to Madison with no further bird-related incidents.
