In an unexpected twist during a routine flight from Minneapolis to Madison, two uninvited feathered passengers—pigeons—caused quite a stir aboard Delta Flight 2348. The commotion began shortly after passengers boarded the Airbus A220, when the first pigeon was spotted fluttering through the cabin. The crew quickly decided to return to the gate for the bird’s removal, temporarily halting the flight schedule. Passengers were surprised, amused, and mildly frustrated by the odd situation, which soon gained traction online thanks to a viral video capturing the chaos.

Second Pigeon, Second Delay

Just as the aircraft resumed its course and began taxiing toward the runway, a second pigeon unexpectedly emerged from its hiding place, flying around the cabin to the disbelief of passengers and crew. This forced the flight to turn back once again, marking the second delay within an hour caused by birds. The pilot, surprised but composed, informed air traffic control—who admitted it was a first for them. With disbelief turning into humor, one passenger even tried to capture the bird with his jacket, providing an unforgettable moment for all onboard.

Passenger Captures the Madness

Passenger Tom Caw documented the unusual series of events on Instagram, sharing footage and a humorous play-by-play of the incident. He described the surreal moment when the pilot confirmed the presence of the first pigeon and passengers applauded its safe removal. As the second pigeon appeared, Caw shared a video of it gliding through the cabin, evoking laughter and astonishment. The pilot, now a veteran of in-flight pigeon encounters, joked with air traffic control about his second bird-related delay within the same flight.

Delta Responds with Apology

Delta Airlines issued a statement after the incident, confirming a 56-minute delay and thanking both passengers and crew for their patience and cooperation. The airline praised the safe removal of the birds, handled by ground crew, and expressed regret over the disruption. Fortunately, both pigeons were unharmed and promptly released. Delta emphasized that safety remains their top priority, and such an event, while rare, was managed with utmost professionalism.

A Flight to Remember

Despite the delay, the Airbus A220 carrying 119 passengers and five crew members eventually departed Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and landed safely at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison. Though passengers missed out on snack service due to the short flight duration, they certainly got an entertaining story to share. Whether it was a case of curious birds or sheer coincidence, Flight 2348 will be remembered not for turbulence or mechanical glitches—but for its most unexpected stowaways: two daring pigeons looking for an airborne adventure.