Pigeons delay Delta flight twice, causing cabin chaos

A Delta Airlines flight from Minneapolis to Madison was delayed twice on Saturday after two pigeons made unexpected appearances inside the aircraft, disrupting boarding and takeoff procedures.

Delta Flight 2348 was preparing for departure from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport when the first bird was spotted flying inside the cabin shortly after passengers began boarding. The aircraft was forced to return to the gate, where staff successfully removed the bird, according to ABC News.

However, just as the plane began taxiing for takeoff a second time, another pigeon was discovered inside the aircraft. The pilot contacted air traffic control and requested a return to the gate for a second bird removal.

A video (see below) recorded by a passenger showed one of the pigeons flapping through the cabin as another passenger attempts to catch it using a jacket. Local media reported that baggage handlers boarded the plane and safely removed the birds.

The flight, which had 119 passengers and five crew members aboard, eventually departed and landed in Madison, Wisconsin, 56 minutes behind schedule.

Delta Airlines issued a statement apologising for the inconvenience, stating: “We appreciate the careful actions of our people and our customers to safely remove two birds from the aircraft prior to departure and we apologise to our customers for the delay in their travel.”