Passengers and crew aboard a Delta flight Monday fell prey to an oppressive 111-degree heat wave in Las Vegas, resulting in several passengers passing out or falling ill as their plane idled for hours on the runway.
Conditions went from bad to worse aboard Delta Airlines flight 555 from Las Vegas to Atlanta July 17 when passengers and crew were forced to wait behind over a dozen planes for take-off in triple-digit temperatures. Sitting on the tarmac with no air conditioning, many passengers fell ill or passed out, according to Fox News field producer Krista Garvin, who was aboard the flight.
NOT ACCEPTABLE @Delta @JetBlue
Passengers aboard Las Vegas flight pass out while awaiting takeoff in triple digit temperatures https://t.co/350S9nUt6G #FoxBusiness
— PMJ N (@Forn61N) July 18, 2023
Garvin reported a harrowing scene onboard with flight attendants racing down the aisles to assist overheated passengers with oxygen tanks. The situation got so bad, the pilot was forced to return the plane to the gate due to “multiple emergencies” which resulted in at least five people being removed from the plane on stretchers. (RELATED: Plane Makes Emergency Landing In Miami After ‘Chemical Odor’ Makes Several Passengers, Crew Members Sick: REPORT)
After four hours onboard the plane, passengers were asked to disembark and the flight was ultimately cancelled and rescheduled for Tuesday morning. Passengers discovered Tuesday morning, however, that the flight had been canceled again.
“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,” the airline said in a statement, according to Fox News. “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,” the statement continued.