Rising temperatures in Las Vegas became too hot to handle after several passengers fell ill due to heat-related issues while waiting for takeoff inside a Delta Air Lines aircraft.
Flight DL 555 was bound for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) from Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) on July 17, 2023.
While passengers awaited takeoff, temperatures in Las Vegas reached 43.8 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit). The Insider reported that the aircraft lingered on the runway for close to four hours.
Coupled with air conditioning issues on the aircraft, several passengers began to feel unwell, and the pilot announced that the plane would have to return to the gate.
According to reports from Fox News, which had a field producer on the flight, multiple passengers had passed out, and some soiled themselves.
As passengers waited for paramedics to board the aircraft, flight attendants can be seen frantically dashing up and down the aisles with oxygen masks while infants cried endlessly.
The flight was eventually canceled. Everyone disembarked from the aircraft and customers were assisted by the airline to either transfer to the next flight or book new flights.
At least one passenger was treated by medics for heat-related issues.
“We apologize for the experience our customers had on flight 555 from Las Vegas to Atlanta on July 17, which ultimately resulted in a flight cancellation,” Delta said in a press statement published by several media outlets.
The airline continued: “Delta teams are looking into the circumstances that led to uncomfortable temperatures inside the cabin and we appreciate the efforts of our people and first responders at Harry Reid International.”
