Flight Diverted After Passenger's Diarrhea Prompts Biohazard

Image: Delta Air Lines plane. (photo via Jennifer May / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Image: Delta Air Lines plane. (photo via Jennifer May / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 12:10 PM ET, Tue September 5, 2023

A Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Barcelona had to turn back after a passenger apparently experienced diarrhea "all the way through the plane."

"This is a biohazard issue," the pilot told air traffic control, per Business Insider. "We've had a passenger who's had diarrhea all the way through the airplane, so they want us to come back to Atlanta."

The incident occurred two hours into Friday's eight-hour transatlantic flight. The plane eventually reached its final destination after it was cleaned, arriving in Spain at 5 p.m. the next day, eight hours behind schedule.

The airline confirmed Friday's diversion, calling the incident a "medical issue."

"Delta flight 194 from Atlanta to Barcelona returned to Atlanta following an onboard medical issue," a Delta rep told Business Insider.

"Our teams worked as quickly and safely as possible to thoroughly clean the airplane and get our customers to their final destination. We sincerely apologize to our customers for the delay and inconvenience to their travel plans."


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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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