Pigeons Ground Delta Flight: Two Unscheduled Stops and a 56-Minute Delay

Unexpected avian passengers caused chaos on a Delta flight from Minneapolis to Madison on May 28, 2025, forcing the aircraft to return to the gate twice. The incident, captured on video by a passenger, shows a man attempting to capture one of the pigeons with his jacket. The pilot announced over the intercom that he had no experience dealing with such a situation. The flight was delayed by 56 minutes. Delta Airlines released an official statement apologizing for the disruption and praising the calm response of passengers and crew. "It was certainly an unusual experience," said one passenger, "but everyone remained remarkably calm and patient." The incident highlights the unexpected challenges faced in air travel. The successful resolution, with the plane eventually departing with all passengers and crew onboard, offers a positive conclusion to an otherwise disruptive event.