Delta Flight Takes Off with 2 Passengers Following Lengthy Delay

Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 10:15 AM ET, Tue January 13, 2015

Photo via Twitter

Sometimes patience pays off.

It certainly did for Chris O'Leary and another passenger when a Delta Air Lines flight with seating for 76 departed Cleveland with only two travelers onboard on Monday following a lengthy delay, according to ABC News.

O'Leary was the lone passenger to board the plane at first before it returned to the gate to pick up a second passenger shortly before takeoff.

Presumably shocked, O'Leary took to Twitter to share his surreal experience.

After a few hours had passed, O'Leary finally had some company.

"It was definitely the most memorable flight I've been on in recent memory if only for the sheer lack of passengers to become bothersome," O'Leary told ABC News. "There were no screaming babies, no one listening to loud lyrics or reclining their seats or taking their shoes."

O'Leary's original 7:15 a.m. flight to New York was canceled, and the 9:39 a.m. flight he was rebooked for was delayed several hours. But because he received updates via phone notifications, he remained in his hotel prior to his scheduled takeoff.

Once at the airport, O'Leary's name was paged over the loud speaker and he was informed that the other passengers had already been rebooked as a result of the delays.

"Part of this is my own stupidity but it ended up working out in my favor," said O'Leary.

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