Delta Flight to Madison Delayed After Two Rogue Pigeons Spark Mid-Cabin Chaos and Passenger Panic

Delta Flight to Madison Delayed After Two Rogue Pigeons Spark Mid-Cabin Chaos and Passenger Panic
Delta Flight to Madison Delayed After Two Rogue Pigeons Spark Mid-Cabin Chaos and Passenger Panic

A Delta Airlines flight departing from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport was thrown into chaos when two pigeons were found inside the aircraft’s main cabin. The unusual situation caused disruption and panic among passengers, as captured in videos shared on social media.

Passenger Tom Caw was the first to notice a pigeon aboard the plane before takeoff. Following this, the pilot announced the bird sighting and decided to return to the gate to have the pigeon removed, delaying the flight’s departure.

Delta Flight to Madison Delayed After Two Rogue Pigeons Spark Mid-Cabin Chaos and Passenger Panic
Delta Flight to Madison Delayed After Two Rogue Pigeons Spark Mid-Cabin Chaos and Passenger Panic

Second Pigeon Flies Down Aisle, Causing Panic And Unusual Air Traffic Report

As the plane taxied again for takeoff, a second pigeon appeared and flew down the aisle, startling passengers and prompting screams. The pilot humorously recounted informing air traffic control about the incident, noting it was an unusual occurrence even for the controller.

Delta Airlines issued a statement apologizing for the delay and thanking the crew and customers for handling the situation safely. The airline emphasized the importance of removing the birds before the flight resumed to ensure passenger safety.

Tom Caw shared that a baggage handler eventually captured the second pigeon. He joked on social media that the birds might have been tired of flying and looking for snacks, unaware that the short flight to Madison, Wisconsin, would not offer any onboard refreshments.