The Weirdest Things That Have Ever Delayed Flights

Sometimes, the reasons behind the flight disruptions can be so bizarre that passengers shake their heads in disbelief. While weather and technical issues are the usual suspects, some truly strange reasons disrupted flights. Here are seven real-life examples of the weirdest things that have delayed flights, proving that you never know what will happen when it comes to air travel.

A Loose Bat in the Cabin

In 2011, passengers on a Delta flight from Madison, Wisconsin, were startled when a bat began flying through the cabin shortly after takeoff. The unexpected intruder caused chaos as it swooped through the aisles, prompting the pilot to return to the airport to have the bat safely removed. Luckily, no one was hurt, but the delay left passengers with a wild story to tell.

A Turtle Invasion on the Runway

JFK Airport in New York experienced an unexpected delay in 2011 when over 150 turtles decided to cross the runway. The slow-moving reptiles delayed several flights as airport workers hurried to relocate them. This bizarre disruption resulted from the turtles’ annual migration from nearby Jamaica Bay to lay eggs.

A Falcon on the Loose in the Cabin

Falcons are commonly transported in the Middle East, and Qatar Airways is no stranger to having these birds on board. However, in 2015, one falcon decided to make a mid-flight escape from its cage, causing a minor uproar in the cabin. The bird flew freely until the crew managed to capture it.

An Emotional Support Squirrel Drama

In 2018, a Frontier Airlines flight was delayed for two hours when a woman attempted to board with her emotional support squirrel. Despite being informed of the airline’s no-rodent policy, the woman refused to deplane without her squirrel, leading to a standoff with authorities. Eventually, the police were called, and the woman (and her squirrel) were removed, allowing the flight to continue.

Dog Poop Disaster

Flights with pets and service animals are usually uneventful, but a 2014 US Airways flight took a nasty turn when a service dog had an unfortunate accident—twice. The dog’s bathroom break mid-flight was so severe that passengers began gagging from the smell, forcing the flight to make an unscheduled landing for cleanup. The crew ran out of cleaning supplies, extending the delay even further.

A Bee Swarm Attack

In 2019, an Air India flight at the Kolkata airport faced an unusual delay when a massive swarm of bees settled on the cockpit window. The ground crew initially failed to clear the bees with water and smoke. It wasn’t until they brought in a fire truck that they could disperse the swarm safely, but the delay left passengers waiting for hours before takeoff.

A Pungent Durian Cargo

In 2018, passengers on an Indonesian flight refused to board after discovering that the cargo hold was filled with durians, a notoriously smelly fruit. The stench was so overwhelming that passengers protested, delaying the flight for more than an hour until the crew agreed to remove the durians. While durians are a popular delicacy in Southeast Asia, their strong odor is not always welcome in enclosed spaces like airplanes.

Conclusion

From wild animals to stubborn passengers, these strange but true stories show just how unpredictable air travel can be. While most flight delays are out of our hands, at least these bizarre causes make for good stories. Next time your flight is delayed, just remember—it could always be worse. You could be stuck in the air with a bat or a runaway falcon; however, if the reason for your flight disruption is under the airline’s control, you should always request your EU261 compensation.