Passengers Frustrated As American Airlines Flight Delayed For Nine Hours Due To Heavy Snow
Passengers aboard an American Airlines plane in Texas became increasingly agitated this week, after their flight was delayed for over nine hours due to heavy snow and mechanical problems, though their trip was only supposed to last a fraction of that time.
American Airlines flight 382 was stranded on the ground at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport most of Friday afternoon and evening, according to ABC News. Though the flight, which was destined for Oklahoma City, was due to take off at 1:45 p.m. Central Time, the American Airlines plane didn’t depart until 10:48 p.m., leaving passengers agitated and increasingly frustrated with the situation.
Passenger Brandon Sullivan documented some of the antics aboard the American Airlines plane, according to the New York Daily News, which included the passengers lashing out at one another in frustration. As some passengers milled about in the aisles, others grew so angered that they raided the airplane’s mini-fridge, availing themselves of their choice of liquor.
Adults kicking each other’s seats and shouting explicatives on @AmericanAir 382 at @dfwairport. Tempers raging after nearly 6 hours on plane
— Brandon Sullivan (@BTSullivan91) February 28, 2015
Sullivan noted that the flight was originally delayed due to a wait for de-icing, which was complicated by the heavy snow falling at the time. Five hours into the epic delay, a mechanical problem manifested, further keeping the flight grounded, much to the chagrin of the already angered passengers.
“People were obviously frustrated and there seemed to be no crew around there for a little bit,” Sullivan recalled. “People were going in the liquor fridge, pulling out whatever they wanted to drink. It got a little chaotic there for a little bit.”
At least one passenger fell ill during the delay, according to Sullivan, and American Airlines was forced to change the flight crew during the wait. After working for eight hours, the crew was legally unable to fly on the plane.
Customers becoming ill after being stuck on AA 382 for 7.5 hours @AmericanAir #AmericanAirlines pic.twitter.com/IZLqsMEkNW
— Brandon Sullivan (@BTSullivan91) February 28, 2015
American Airlines apologized to passengers aboard the flight for the staggering delay, pointing to weather conditions as a driving factor.
“Yesterday was a challenging day at DFW,” the company noted. “The safety of our passengers and employees is always our top priority.”
.@AmericanAir I was on AA382 yesterday in Dallas. If you’re giving people miles, I need some too! Sat for 9 hours. pic.twitter.com/D5hJXdaoUq
— Brandon Sullivan (@BTSullivan91) February 28, 2015
Earlier this year, an Air India flight was delayed for several hours after an altercation between the pilot and a ground engineer. As the Inquisitr previously reported, the jet was grounded for nearly five hours.
Due to the fact that the American Airlines flight was not held on the tarmac, the wait failed to violate Department of Transportation standards. After its nine-hour-long delay, the American Airlines flight reached its destination around 11:20 p.m.
[Image: American Airlines via TravelPulse]
