Delta Salt Lake City-Amsterdam Flight Injures 25 in Severe Turbulence Diversion

A Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam encountered severe turbulence about 45 minutes after takeoff, causing the Airbus A330-900 to plummet over 1,600 feet within 85 seconds and injuring 25 people on board. The flight was diverted to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, where emergency responders met the aircraft and transported the injured passengers and crew to hospitals for evaluation and treatment. Passengers described being thrown into the air, with unsecured individuals hitting the ceiling and falling back down, and beverage carts crashing inside the cabin multiple times. Delta emphasized safety as its top priority and is cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board investigation while providing support to affected customers. Experts note that serious injuries from turbulence are rare but may be increasing due to climate change affecting jet streams. This incident follows other recent turbulence-related events, including a fatal case on a Singapore Airlines flight earlier in 2024.