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Two Pigeons Force Gate Returns, Delay Delta Flight 2348 by 56 Minutes

Baggage handlers, joined by crew, worked swiftly with passengers to remove the stowaways before departure; a passenger’s video of the ordeal has gone viral.

A bird flies inside Delta Air Lines flight 2348, Saturday in Minneapolis.
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Overview

  • The incident unfolded May 24 as Delta Flight 2348 prepared to depart Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport with 119 passengers and five crew.
  • A pigeon spotted in the cabin prompted the pilot to return to the gate and summon baggage handlers for removal.
  • During taxiing, a second pigeon appeared, triggering another gate return before both birds were escorted off unharmed.
  • The Airbus A220 departed nearly an hour late and landed safely at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin.
  • Delta apologized for the delay, praised crew and passenger actions, and noted that the footage shared by Tom Caw has drawn widespread attention.