Overview

• The incident unfolded on May 24 when Delta Flight 2348 from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport was called back to the gate after passengers reported a pigeon onboard, and again when a second bird appeared during taxi.
• Passenger Tom Caw’s viral video shows fellow travelers ducking and a man brandishing a jacket in an attempt to corral the fluttering bird amid startled screams.
• The pilot alerted air traffic control to a “wildlife situation,” leading ground crews to board and escort each pigeon off the aircraft unharmed.
• The stowaways extended the flight’s departure by 56 minutes, prompting an apology from Delta and praise for the calm actions of both crew and passengers.
• After clearance, the Airbus A220 carrying 119 passengers and five crew members took off and landed safely at Madison’s Dane County Regional Airport later that evening.