'GOTTA GET OFF': Horrified JetBlue fliers ask crew to let them off plane after aborted landings
Passengers swarmed to get off the plane in Newark, shouting that they were afraid after multiple failed attempts to land at JFK Airport during terrible weather, according to disturbing video filmed aboard a JetBlue flight. One passenger can be heard shrieking at cabin personnel, "I'm not going back in the air." Another man is seen pleading to get off the plane, which was expected to arrive at JFK on Thursday, April 7 after a flight from Cancun, Mexico, according to the airline.
"My kids are panicking," one dad exclaims, "We gotta get off this plane. It’s dangerous!" He said, "We tried to land four times already … we're scared to fly, we wanna get off! I don't want to go to jail but it's not right."
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As other passengers express their want to exit, the man continues, "I don't care about JFK — it's our lives! People are sick back there, people are fainting, people are throwing up! A little respect for human beings!"
This is so scary. I’m supposed to fly @JetBlue in a week. They kept trying to land at JFK but too much turbulence these people just want it off the plane in Newark but JetBlue would not let them. pic.twitter.com/7vwqn9nbal
— Jilly V (@JillyV_) April 10, 2022
Flight 1852 was diverted to Newark Liberty International Airport "due to weather" over JFK, according to JetBlue spokesman Derek Dombrowski. "Without proper customs processing available for the flight at Newark, the aircraft remained on the ground for 60 minutes and once the weather cleared departed again for JFK where it safely landed," Dombrowski stated in an email.
"We apologize for the inconvenience this weather-related diversion created," Dombrowski stated. Passengers were reportedly provided $50 in flight credits as compensation for the inconvenience.
JetBlue had earlier experienced a similar catastrophic collapse at JFK airport in the month of January, as it struggled to recover from the nor'easter snowstorm that pounded the east coast over the weekend. As a result, approximately 20 inbound flights were unable to park at the gates at one point.
Hundreds of passengers were left waiting for hours on the tarmac at JFK airport in New York because there were insufficient ground employees to connect jetbridges. According to Flight Depart, about half of JetBlue's scheduled departures were delayed on Sunday. In the midst of the travel turmoil, some flights were redirected to Newark Airport.
Airlines must allow passengers to deplane within three hours of arriving on a domestic trip and four hours of arriving on an international flight, according to Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. The same rule applies to flights departing. Airlines must also give refreshments and water in the event of a tarmac delay. Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant fines.