My gosh, I feel bad for just about everyone involved here…
In this post:
Barcelona-bound Delta A350 returns to Atlanta
This incident happened on Friday, September 1, 2023, and involves Delta Air Lines flight DL194 from Atlanta (ATL) to Barcelona (BCN). The flight was operated by a six-year-old Airbus A350-900 with the registration code N570DZ.
The flight took off at 8:47PM, just over two hours after its scheduled 6:40PM departure. For nearly an hour, the aircraft flew northeast, over Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. However, at that point the plane turned around and flew back to Atlanta, where it landed at 10:39PM.
Why would the plane return to Atlanta, for such a costly diversion? Well, ummm, I’ll let the FAA flight strip speak for itself:
“Divert to ATL — passenger diarrhea all over aircraft — biohazard”
And that’s not a typo. Based on recorded air traffic control audio, you can hear one of the pilots explaining the reason for the diversion to the air traffic controller:
“It’s just a biohazard issue, we had a passenger who had diarrhea all the way through the airplane.”
Obviously I feel horribly for everyone involved here. I imagine this wasn’t pleasant for passengers and crew, and I also feel sorry for the passenger who caused this, since clearly they were having some issues. This wasn’t a case of some aggressive passenger not cooperating with the crew and causing a diversion.
This flight continued its journey several hours later
Once in Atlanta, the focus was obviously on cleaning the aircraft to solve the “biohazard” situation. On top of that, Delta had to find a new crew, since the crew that operated the initial flight timed out.
Fortunately for passengers, the flight didn’t end up getting canceled. As mentioned above, the aircraft arrived back in Atlanta at 10:39PM, and ended up departing just over five hours later, at 2:57AM.
After an 8hr13min flight, the plane then ended up landing in Barcelona at 5:10PM, eight hours after the scheduled 9:10AM arrival. As you’d expect, the return flight, DL195, was delayed significantly as well. It was scheduled to depart from Barcelona to Atlanta at 11:25AM, but only departed at 7:23PM, arriving at 10:14PM.
Bottom line
A Delta Airbus A350 had to return to Atlanta after a passenger apparently had a very bad case of diarrhea. The flight landed back in Atlanta after about two hours. After five hours cleaning the cabin and finding a new crew, the aircraft once again took off to Barcelona, where it arrived eight hours behind schedule.
What a crappy situation…
Were any OMAAT readers on this Delta flight?
I just flew out of Atlanta a few days ago and right before I got on the plane I had a bagel sandwich while I was waiting until time to board. I’d felt fine and had no problems beforehand, but before the plane ever took off I had to go to the restroom (on the plane) because that bagel gave me the worst stomach cramps and gas and I’d feared diarrhea as well but it...
I just flew out of Atlanta a few days ago and right before I got on the plane I had a bagel sandwich while I was waiting until time to board. I’d felt fine and had no problems beforehand, but before the plane ever took off I had to go to the restroom (on the plane) because that bagel gave me the worst stomach cramps and gas and I’d feared diarrhea as well but it didn’t get that far. The problem didn’t even hit until I’d sat down and the plane was half filled. So, it might not have been an issue that they suspected prior to boarding. Just sayin.
I just flew out of Atlanta a few days ago and right before I got on the plane I had a bagel sandwich while I was waiting until time to board. I’d felt fine and had no problems beforehand, but before the plane ever took off I had to go to the restroom because that bagel gave me the worst stomach cramps and gas and I’d feared diarrhea as well but it didn’t get that far. So, it might not have been an issue that they suspected prior to boarding. Just sayin.
Maybe it’s a Ducolax gone wrong. Those things are powerful.
The suggestion that any individual would board knowing they were ill with a disease that would include uncontrollable diarrhea is absurd. To so claim reveals youthful inexperience. Live long enough, and life will instruct you regarding the assertion.
It’s possible the passenger has a colostomy bag and it burst or broke due to built up gas that’s uncontrollable
Not one person noticed the flight delay time was a little over 4FOUR hrs? Not 5 as the story suggests.
It could've been caused by many things. Certain meds (like metformin) can lead to uncontrollable reactions like this. You literally have no warning. This sounds like what happened. Everything you ate a few hours ago, leaves your body within a minute or so and it's very watery. You can't hold it in either. I myself have had a few close calls. Food poisoning will do the same as well sometimes. Bacteria can be mean Lil wee buggars..
She just posted on tiktok and is horribly embarrassed and so apologetic. Apparently she bought airport sushi and it hit her out of the blue. She is completely mortified by the entire situation. Give the girl a break.
That was a joke. It was not her. She’s making light of the situation. The passenger that it happened to was a male.
I feel sorry for the poor passenger, what a horrible nightmare. I hope they had easy access to clean clothes etc.
What about the passengers on an Air Canada flight that were expected to sit in their vomit covered seats for 5 hrs, The crew gave them a blanket to sit on
Although you may think this person was ill. I suffer with colitis. Which can flare at any moment. So take moment with your comments and give a prayer to those with a silent disease. You may not see their disease or discomfort, but trust me when I say it horrible. God bless you.
For one with stomach issues it can start before you know it. I feel For her. I've often been afraid myself.
Ｗe not only need a metal detector, but also need a poo-poo detector at TSA
Well, someone certainly had the mileage runs…
As a person suffering with IBS most of my adult life ... this is something I continually fear. One can go from being constipated to having liquid diarrhea in an instant. It doesn't matter what you eat or drink ... it is just the horrific way your digestive system works ... or doesn't. I used to have to drive the turnpike for work everyday ... and knew every bathroom available enroute. I always carry a...
As a person suffering with IBS most of my adult life ... this is something I continually fear. One can go from being constipated to having liquid diarrhea in an instant. It doesn't matter what you eat or drink ... it is just the horrific way your digestive system works ... or doesn't. I used to have to drive the turnpike for work everyday ... and knew every bathroom available enroute. I always carry a tote with an extra pair of underwear, clothes, TP and washrag, soap, etc. ... just in case some time I don't make it in time. I pray and deep breathe at any slight cramp I might feel, hoping this won't be the time I don't make it. You can try to monitor your fiber intake and diet, but that is no guarantee. I wouldn't wish this life on anyone! So, if you've never experienced this nightmare ... count your blessings.
So sorry, can relate to the constant fear. Try not to eat if going on the road.
The comment on this post at 2:43 on 9/4 is appalling. You have to be a low life and ignorant to say something like that. I bet you wouldn’t say that to someone’s face.
This can happen any time.Out of the blue.Some people don’t know when it is going to happen.It happens to me.If you don’t have the problem ,don’t judge.
Another site reports there were 336 passengers on the flight which was 3 short of capacity.
My friend is a Delta FA and showed me a Facebook post from one of the crew directly impacted by the incident. It's worse than it's portrayed in the article and involved an elderly person and sanitary undergarments which were incapable of handling the situation. The lavatory, the aisle and some seats were majority impacted by the biohazard.
that makes more sense than what was suggested. Elderly or with a pre-existing condition explains alot.
Think about the cleaner who had to deal with the mess-
The Air Canada incident is making national news sites.
People understand that other people get sick even if they don't listen to their bodies.
They don't understand or accept that an airline - as Air Canada did - has employees that would tell a passenger that there is nothing they could do to clean up the obvious vomit from a previous flight on a seat that they sold and then have multiple employees...
The Air Canada incident is making national news sites.
People understand that other people get sick even if they don't listen to their bodies.
They don't understand or accept that an airline - as Air Canada did - has employees that would tell a passenger that there is nothing they could do to clean up the obvious vomit from a previous flight on a seat that they sold and then have multiple employees tell the passengers that have a modicum of human decency not to sit in someone else's bodily fluids that they will be forcibly removed from the flight and added to the no fly list if they don't leave on their own.
Air Canada stays in business solely because it monopolizes its markets.
What's this with bodily fluids? A few days ago, an Air Canada flight into LAS had issues with vomit all over two seats.
Once I was called for a medical emergency on a flight (for a pilot who was deadheading) and they were throwing up everywhere. You would be surprised how little cleaning supplies there are on the plane. When I asked for hand sanitizer after examining them, I was given a mini bottle of vodka as this was all they had!
I know the crew did their best in situation, but some kind of sanitation and...
Once I was called for a medical emergency on a flight (for a pilot who was deadheading) and they were throwing up everywhere. You would be surprised how little cleaning supplies there are on the plane. When I asked for hand sanitizer after examining them, I was given a mini bottle of vodka as this was all they had!
I know the crew did their best in situation, but some kind of sanitation and cleaning supplies on planes should be standard. The Asian airlines seem to have them to clean business lavatories between each use!
They would be willing to assist you with cleaning supplies on Spirit Airlines for an additional fee.
HOLY CRAP! Guess they were flushed for better ideas and it sent them around the S bend.
Bottom Line :)
I flew BCN - ATL this morning. The gate agent in BCN said they had to re-carpet the aircraft, as they couldn’t get the biohazard fully removed.
You can’t make this s—t up!
I had a somewhat similar thing happen to me on a flight from Atlanta to Honolulu. After eating the inflight meal my tummy decided that a 3 hour bout of the runs would be fun. I kept the restroom tied up for about 4 hours. I was so embarrassed.
It reminds me of early in the movie 'Soul Plane' with Kevin Hart who gets traveler's diarrhea off some beef stroganoff. He ends up collecting money and starting his own airline which is the premise of the movie. I vomited once on a plane (in the lavvy fortunately) but feeling unwell while airborne blows chunks.
A crap is a crap!
I've had traveler's diarrhea before, and this was actually my nightmare when it happened. Fortunately I was able to make it to the toilet on my Lufthansa flight.
Bottom line - indeed!
Ben - it would be good if you can write an article about crew time outs.
When does the clock start and end? Is it from the time the door is closed? How does the hours differ between domestic and international flights? How does it get impacted by various situations (like go around, returning back to origin mid-way, what are the rules if the crew still ends up spending more time inside the aircraft due to unforeseen circumstances, etc.).
So.. I suspect the guilty of the "biohazard" spread didn't take the rescheduled fligt.....
It is always mind-boggling to see people chowing down so much food at airports prior to flights and also bringing food (pizza, BBQ etc) on to the plane.
It is surprising this sort of thing does not happen more often.
Unfortunately have zero faith in people's ability or willingness to be prudent and practical.
on the aircraft side of this, it is worth noting that this flight was operated by one of Delta's ex-Latam A350s which is one of the largest aircraft that Delta has ever operated to BCN and also one of the largest from the US to BCN.
Delta has deployed the ex-Latam A350s on about a half dozen routes to Europe this summer and every indication are that they have been able to not only...
on the aircraft side of this, it is worth noting that this flight was operated by one of Delta's ex-Latam A350s which is one of the largest aircraft that Delta has ever operated to BCN and also one of the largest from the US to BCN.
Delta has deployed the ex-Latam A350s on about a half dozen routes to Europe this summer and every indication are that they have been able to not only fill the seats but keep fares up.
In other Delta fleet news, the DL 767-300ER that flew through hail in MXP returns to service tomorrow with a roundtrip to MCO from ATL and then to DUS later in the week.
The DL 767-300ER that lost an engine on climbout from PRG a couple days ago, possibly due to a bird strike, is flying back to JFK tomorrow. If an engine change was necessary, DL managed to get an engine to PRG and do an engine change pretty quickly.
What the fluff are you fluffing about chatGPTim?
The only thing you generate that is related to this topic is that it's full of shit.
Kudos to Delta. Contrary to the way Air Canada tried to make passengers sit on seats with vomit.
If the plane made it as far as Virginia before turning around, I wonder why it didn’t divert to DC or even New York JFK (Delta hub) rather than return to Atlanta. Flying time to JFK would have been about the same as to ATL from that location, and it would have meant a shorter flight onward to Barcelona once the plane was cleaned up.
Delta does not operate the A350s at JFK so does not have pilots based there which they knew would need to be replaced.
The backtrack to ATL was the least of the problems.
Most likely 'time-out' issues for flight and cabin crew.
Maybe landing slot issues? Maybe figured it was easier to have people return to the origination in case there was further delay?
Bad time for flights to BCN. That same week and A350 was delayed 2 days with a bad door.
Scat Air would like to know this passenger’s location
Sh*t happens ! Maybe DL could give this passenger special 'brown' medallion status?
If there was only one rule for flying it would be: ALWAYS bring Immodium AD on any flight.
Not much use AFTER the incident
The passenger probably ate at the Fridays in Concourse E! Avoid at all cost. Has a reputation of making passengers sick. I can testify. Luckily didn’t hit me until my destination.
And that’s why you eat at Ecco at concourse F
Too bad this is the first thing “Soloflyer1977” cares about.
you have to wonder why someone got on the plane when they were clearly sick before it ever left the gate. that turned out to be a very costly bug. Hopefully the person got the medical help they needed.
You have to commend Delta for dealing w/ a very unique situation and keeping both the outbound and return flights operating.
Are we really sure that EU compensation applies when a flight diverts due to a passenger illness?
“you have to wonder why someone got on the plane when they were clearly sick before it ever left the gate.”
You don’t know much about various kinds of food poisoning.
Food poisoning might be the most likely explanation for someone that had explosive diarrhea but it isn't the only one.
If it was related to food served onboard, the chances that it was just one person are very low.
And if the person bought it in the terminal, it would have involved more than one person.
Sure, it could have been food poisoning. but the chances that it involved food bought in...
Food poisoning might be the most likely explanation for someone that had explosive diarrhea but it isn't the only one.
If it was related to food served onboard, the chances that it was just one person are very low.
And if the person bought it in the terminal, it would have involved more than one person.
Sure, it could have been food poisoning. but the chances that it involved food bought in the travel journey are low. It could have been food poisoning but the chances are higher that it came from outside the public travel process and still more than one person was involved.
and this type of illness does not present no symptoms and then two hours later you can't control anything. at T-2 hours, your body is already telling you something is not right.
I had severe diarrhoea late June in the Canaries - went to the loo six times in an hour and it was explosive I am afraid to say. Absolutely no warning or other symptoms whatsoever. So your statement is incorrect. I told my doctor I was grateful I wasn’t on a plane with the seatbelt sign on as I can tell you it would have been a biohazard - even with me consuming Imodium !
I'm sure that we all could provide stories but the human digestive process takes at least an hour.
It is possible that something impacts the lower GI system which did not impact the stomach at all, but your body generally can figure out that something is wrong early in the digestive process whether you realize it or not.
And part of the question is how someone managed to be unable to get to the...
I'm sure that we all could provide stories but the human digestive process takes at least an hour.
It is possible that something impacts the lower GI system which did not impact the stomach at all, but your body generally can figure out that something is wrong early in the digestive process whether you realize it or not.
And part of the question is how someone managed to be unable to get to the lav. 2 hours after takeoff is right around the time meal service is ending so lots of people are up and in the lav but it would be beyond humiliating to be unable to control anything when you get even a minute of warning.
What exactly are you getting at, Tim Dunn? There are no questions here that need further consideration. There is basically no world in which someone willingly soils themself and an entire plane. Food poisoning is obviously the most likely answer.
My point is that someone doesn't just all of a sudden start spewing feces without some warning. I've had food poisoning as have others here and not one person has said that they immediately got sick w/o any warning and created a mess all over everywhere.
I suspect the person had some GI distress before they ever got on the plane but even if they ate in the airport - as someone suggested - and...
My point is that someone doesn't just all of a sudden start spewing feces without some warning. I've had food poisoning as have others here and not one person has said that they immediately got sick w/o any warning and created a mess all over everywhere.
I suspect the person had some GI distress before they ever got on the plane but even if they ate in the airport - as someone suggested - and then got sick entirely on the plane, it is hard to understand how someone managed to spread feces unless they were genuinely waiting for a lav and they were all full.
I wasn't there but there is clearly a part of this story that seems a little over the top.
“…not one person has said that they immediately got sick w/o any warning.”
A grand total of three people responded to you comment, and even with that small sample size, that is literally exactly what one person said. It is very easy to imagine a situation where service carts or occupied restrooms led to this result. Again, no one is going to soil themself if they can avoid it.
@tda1986 in some ways he’s trying to replicate over here with his comments what the passenger did on the plane.
Geez Timmy....give it a rest. Are you adding "Doctor" to your resume or something?
If someone isn't capable of defending the attacks they make, they shouldn't make them.
The fact remains that NO healthy person - all that should be on a flight - instantaneously erupts in explosive diarrhea without any warning or previous symptoms.
Gosh - this is tedious.
Some people, even if they have warning, don't expect the outcome to be immediate. Some people sit in a seat that is not very easy to get out of (especially during meal service). Some people have limited mobility (are you suggesting they should not be flying?). Some people are jerks and wouldn't let someone get to the front of the queue at the lavs.
Give it a rest. Nobody's fault.
You have aviation knowledge, even if sometimes skewed...but unless you can prove otherwise, you don't have medical expertise...SO STOP MAKING SUCH HOLIER THAN THOU COMMENTS.
I've had miserable gastro intestinal issues happen during long-haul flights, and the last 2 times was from the lounge food and an inflight biz class meal...different people react different ways.
Just STOP you nonsense and stick to what you know...quite well, actually...liked the fleet info you provided in the...
You have aviation knowledge, even if sometimes skewed...but unless you can prove otherwise, you don't have medical expertise...SO STOP MAKING SUCH HOLIER THAN THOU COMMENTS.
I've had miserable gastro intestinal issues happen during long-haul flights, and the last 2 times was from the lounge food and an inflight biz class meal...different people react different ways.
Just STOP you nonsense and stick to what you know...quite well, actually...liked the fleet info you provided in the thread.
thanks for "liking" the fleet comments I provided but may I remind you that on an anonymous website, you really have no idea what experience or training some people have - even if I am one of the very, very few that bother to use my real first and last name.
There are some of us who get zero warning and then zero ability to hold it. Lucky you for not being one of the unlucky ones.
Be thankful you haven’t had food poisoning. I had it once, after a DL flight no less but was able to get all the way home feeling totally ok. The next minute…let’s just say both ends were occupied at the same time, projectile. Like a light switch, and continued for a day even when trying to drink water.
I contracted salmonella in Mexico City. Salmonella presents without warning even though you may have ingested something hours to days before. One minute you're fine, the next minute you're pulling your suite mate off the toilet. So you're issue sounds a lot like salmonella. It's weird like that.
I had severe food poisoning in BKK and had to fly to change planes in NRT going to JFK. I was boarded in a wheelchair and had explosive as soon as I boarded, (only in rest room) . I was flying on the type of ticket where I’d sold my baggage space to a carrier like DHL. So I had no option to cancel. They only had to spray the restroom.
I was recently in Bhutan and I had a sudden onset case of the squirts. It came out of no where, as most of my diarrhea does historically. Do people get signs that its coming, because that would be awesome? Maybe I need to visit with my doctor. Anyway, if I had even an inkling of a thought it was coming I would have taken an immodium or a pepto, both of which I had...
I was recently in Bhutan and I had a sudden onset case of the squirts. It came out of no where, as most of my diarrhea does historically. Do people get signs that its coming, because that would be awesome? Maybe I need to visit with my doctor. Anyway, if I had even an inkling of a thought it was coming I would have taken an immodium or a pepto, both of which I had in my luggage next to me to try and help or even prevent it. Unlike this flyer I was in my hotel and was fortunate to delay any activities that day because boy that would have been tragic.
One time in Sweden, I was enjoying Swedish meatballs in some Cafe in a village and it came. I didn't make it to the restroom unsoiled. Luckily, I had extra underwear and windpants in my pack. It would have been nice to know this was coming so I'd have taken precautionary measures, well more than the extra underwear, which are common for me to have due to my surprise visits.
I have to wonder though, do people get hints that diarrhea is coming?
In conclusion, Tim Dunn is clearly no gastroenterologist, and we could have avoided this litany of shitty experiences had he just admitted that his original post made incorrect broad assumptions based solely on his limited personal experience. I hope you're happy, Tim!
see above.
I'm not happy at all.
as I stated from the beginning, this wasn't a young, otherwise healthy person.
My wife and I got Bali Belly the day we were leaving Bali (we suspect it was either having cocktails out of a seashell the night prior or eating with our hands and forgetting to wash our hands first.) It took everything we had not to end up in a similar situation as this person.
Wow not washing hands does not say many good things about your hygiene does it?
Has nothing to do with hygiene, but thanks for your smart@$$ comment.
Some nice ec261 compensation for those flying from BCN.
Nope. Not within the control of the airline. And a non-EU airline flying INTO the EU. For both reasons, not covered by EU261
Ah, see what you mean - for the passengers on the return leg. But still no. The delay was outside the airlines' control.
Not within the control of the airline, but important to note that it doesn’t matter if it’s a non-EU airline or if it was flying into or out of the EU. Where there’s a valid claim, flights to/from the EU operated by EU/non-EU airlines are covered under EC261
That is incorrect information. It DOES matter that it was a non EU airline flying INTO EU. Check EU262 rules. No obligation to provide. Airlines are not an ATM for things out of their control. Approach the sick passenger with your “claim”.
SH - I don't think so. Non EU airlines are only within scope when flying OUT of the EU. Not when flying into it. EU airlines are in scope in both directions.
And EU airlines aren't in scope for passengers connecting in the EU between non-EU origin/destination
Well this story really stinks! ; )
Newtons fourth law of motion:
Loose motion is never in slow motion
Mortifying for the passenger with the problem.
Horrifying for the passengers on the flight.
It’s always my worst nightmare of food poisoning erupting mid a long flight.
I was actually working this aircraft when they announced their intention to divert. They told me on frequency that a passenger had vomited and that they were required to return for biohazard reasons. It was a little while later that I found out the actual reason — I'm guessing they either didn't have all the information yet or maybe they didn't want to announce it on frequency yet. Yikes!
That really was a Bottom Line.
Guess that was a shitty flight!