'Be Grateful the plan didn't crash in sea': Delta passengers stranded on Portuguese Island for 12 hours

Passengers aboard a Delta flight bound for New York received an unexpected surprise when their aircraft had to make an emergency landing on a Portuguese island, leaving them stranded for approximately 12 hours.

A spokesperson from Delta Air Lines informed Insider that Flight 157, originating from Ghana and en route to New York, was diverted to Terceira, a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, due to a “mechanical issue involving the backup oxygen system.” The spokesperson clarified that the oxygen levels in the passenger cabin and cockpit were unaffected. The decision to land in Terceira was made out of an “abundance of caution.”

A disgruntled passenger, Nana Asante-Smith, who recounted the events on Facebook, stated that approximately five hours into the flight across the Atlantic, the pilot suddenly announced an unexpected diversion due to a mechanical problem. Flight attendants rushed to the front of the plane, and the route displayed on the in-flight entertainment system changed, redirecting the flight to Terceira Island, Portugal. One flight attendant mentioned to a passenger that the diversion was prompted by a passenger’s severe illness.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the limited communication, Nana revealed that he approached the flight attendants to seek clarification about the situation. Despite his growing anxiety, the attendants were understanding and reassuring, explaining that the issue related to low oxygen levels in the cockpit. Nana acknowledged that while nerve-wracking, such situations were beyond Delta’s control.

Nana further described how, upon landing on Terceira Island, there appeared to be a lack of consideration for the passengers’ well-being. Passengers with Ghanaian passports were confined to a designated section of the airport because they lacked the necessary visas. The flight crew was transported to a hotel and did not interact with the passengers again. Delta representatives were notably absent, with interactions limited to airport personnel at Lajes Airport/Base.

Upon arriving at JFK Airport, passengers were met with apologies from the airline, which claimed to be overwhelmed, and were instructed to retain their receipts for reimbursement.

Nana strongly criticized Delta for abandoning and disregarding passengers during a time of heightened anxiety, confusion, fear, and exhaustion. He condemned the airline’s attempt to revise the narrative, deeming it inconceivable and deplorable.

Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie, who was also onboard, shared his experience, acknowledging the emergency landing’s impact on his missed event in Detroit. He expressed understanding of such incidents but criticized Delta’s poor communication and the use of older, less safe aircraft on routes from Africa.

So I missed my event in Detroit due to @Delta doing an emergency landing on an island in Portugal yesterday. It was unfortunate but I know these things happen so I wasn’t trippin even though they communicated poorly and didn’t have the courtesy to update us on exactly what was…

— Sarkodie (@sarkodie) September 10, 2023

Additionally, passenger Kiaundra Eggleston posted a video on social media showing a female staff member confronting passengers, stating that they should be grateful their plane didn’t crash into the sea, further highlighting the tense situation.

This female rep told us we should be grateful that they allowed us to be here and our plane didn’t crash in the sea pic.twitter.com/AwOR2jPp2I

— Kiaundra Eggleston (Smith) (@KiaundraSmith) September 9, 2023