American Airlines passengers have 'mental breakdown' after being trapped in hot plane for HOURS
An American Airlines flight from Charlotte, NC, to New York City was delayed for several hours on Sunday, July 24, driving passengers to the point of "mental breakdown" as the aircraft was reportedly left sitting on the runway with no air conditioning or food service.
The flight, which was originally scheduled to depart at 1:07 pm local time, ended up being held on the runway due to problems with the fuel tank. After a point, the suffering passengers started "sobbing" while others had "panic attacks." Weather reports from Sunday showed thunderstorms and rain in the region.
RELATED ARTICLES
Passengers fume as pilot WALKS OFF delayed Alaska Airlines plane after fight with co-pilot
Genna Contino, a reporter for the Charlotte Observer who was aboard the flight, vented her frustrations on Twitter. “Just sat on a plane with limited AC for three hours while they were fixing the fuel tank, turns out they can’t fix it and now we’re switching planes I——-,” she wrote.
just sat on a plane with limited AC for three hours while they were fixing the fuel tank, turns out they can’t fix it and now we’re switching planes i——-
— genna (@GennaContino) July 24, 2022
The passengers eventually boarded a different plane at 4:30 pm. However, that craft was stranded on the tarmac for another three hours under hot, uncomfortable conditions. “Entering hour 6 of sitting on a plane with no AC, no food, no drink service,” Contino tweeted, adding, “Someone on the flight is having a mental breakdown.”
entering hour 6 of sitting on a plane with no AC, no food, no drink service. someone on the flight is having a mental breakdown. this is wild https://t.co/sqDT1OPYZ2
— genna (@GennaContino) July 24, 2022
American Airlines spokesperson Andrew Trull told the Observer that the heat could be attributed to it being a "hot day." He noted that a preconditioned air hose was likely attached to the aircraft to pump cool air from the jet bridge aboard the plane. Trull did not confirm if the hose was connected but said a piece to hook it up was available. Contino tweeted that the plane's air source appeared to be off or low. “They turned it OFF to save fuel until people started sobbing and having panic attacks," she remarked.
they turned it OFF to save fuel until people started sobbing and having panic attacks 🤠
— genna (@GennaContino) July 25, 2022
The reporter also claimed that passengers weren't allowed to exit the plane.
Speaking to the New York Post, Trull said the flight was delayed due to a mechanical issue as well as reports of lightning in the vicinity. “During that time the jet bridge remained attached and the forward boarding door remained open,” he said, adding, “We know it can be frustrating when travel doesn’t go as planned, and apologize to our customers for the inconvenience.” Trull said passengers were given the opportunity to get off the plane as it was still at the gate and that its fourth boarding door had been kept open throughout the delays. He said if the plane was off the gate, a snack would have been served "after a period of time."
TOP STORIES
Where is Hunter Moore now? New Netflix docu lays bare sick life of 'most hated man on the Internet'
The flight finally departed at 7:03 pm. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there has to be an opportunity to deplane within three hours of the door closing or arrival into a city if there is a delay either on departure or arrival for domestic flights. Meanwhile, it's four hours for international flights, per the agency.