Delta passengers ‘hit the ceiling' during severe flight turbulence

Telegraph

31-07-2025

Twenty-five people were taken to hospital after a Delta Airlines flight was hit with extreme turbulence.
The Airbus A330-900, travelling from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, was forced to divert, landing at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport.
It is not clear what caused the turbulence. A Delta spokesman said the airline is cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board in an investigation into the incident.
People were thrown around the cabin during the 'really scary' incident, witnesses said.
'They hit the ceiling, and then they fell to the ground,' passenger Leann Clement-Nash told ABC News.
'The carts also hit the ceiling and fell to the ground, and people were injured. It happened several times, so it was really scary,' she added.
The aircraft was met by emergency crews, including paramedics and fire crews, on the runway. Seven crew members were among those hospitalised, with all seven having since been released.
'We are grateful for the support of all emergency responders involved,' a Delta spokesman said.
In a statement posted on Delta's website, a spokesman said: 'The aircraft, an Airbus A330-900, landed safely at MSP, and medical personnel met the flight upon arrival to evaluate customers and crew.
'Twenty-five of those on board were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and care. We are grateful for the support of all emergency responders involved.
'Safety is our [number one] value at Delta, and our Delta care team is working directly with customers to support their immediate needs.'
Last year, 71 people were injured and one man died following extreme turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight.
The Boeing 777-300ER was travelling over Myanmar at 37,000ft when it plummeted 178ft (54 metres) in less than five seconds, sending many of the 211 passengers and crew on board into the air – and slamming some into the plane's ceiling.
British grandfather Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, died on the flight after suffering a heart attack.
Following the incident, Singapore Airlines tightened its rules, halting meal services when the seatbelt sign is on and requiring cabin crew to also remain seated.
Previously, the airline had only restricted hot drinks when the seatbelt sign was switched on.