There’s a wild story about a nightmare that took place at 30,000 feet in the air. Imagine settling into your seat, ready for a long flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, only to find yourself in a situation that’s straight out of a nightmare—or a comedy, depending on how you look at it.
Just an hour into Delta Flight DL133, something absolutely unexpected occurred. Passengers sitting in economy were suddenly showered, not with the usual in-flight snacks or beverages, but with maggots. Yes, you heard that right—maggots began to fall from an overhead cabin, creating a scene of chaos and disbelief among the passengers.
The cause of this bizarre incident? A suitcase full of rotten fish that somehow broke open mid-flight. The Fox News reported that the flight had to make a U-turn, returning to Schiphol Airport, as the cabin crew scrambled to address the situation. The plane landed, passengers disembarked, and the cabin underwent a thorough cleaning, while the offending suitcase was sealed in a bag, destined to be burned.
But what happened next? Delta staff sprung into action, detaining the owner of the rotting suitcase on the plane, as other passengers were allowed to leave. According to a passenger named Kelce, those affected by the incident were compensated with 8,000 air miles, hotel accommodations, and a $30 meal ticket if they faced overnight delays.
The internet, as you can imagine, had a field day with this. A Reddit thread quickly emerged, becoming a hub for shocked and impacted travelers to share their firsthand experiences. One user recounted the horror of realizing that maggots were dropping onto their head and seat, noting that the fish was apparently wrapped in newspaper—a detail that only adds to the surreal nature of the story.
Delta Air Lines issued an apology, stating that the incident was due to an improperly packed carry-on bag. They reassured that passengers were placed on the next available flight and that the affected aircraft was taken out of service for a deep clean. It’s a stark reminder of the airline’s policy on carry-on perishable items, which are allowed with certain restrictions to prevent exactly this type of incident. However, they also noted that Delta is not responsible for any perishables that spoil or go bad in transit.
This story, while unusual, serves as a peculiar reminder of the unexpected adventures that can happen when traveling. It’s not every day that you hear about a flight turning back due to an invasion of maggots, but it’s a tale that certainly reminds us of the importance of packing carefully—and maybe double-checking that carry-on just one more time.
Thanks for tuning in to this wild ride of a story. If you’ve ever experienced anything remotely as bizarre on your travels, drop a comment below. We’d love to hear your stories! Until next time, safe travels and remember—keep your luggage maggot-free!