Delta Airlines is stepping up in response to a terrifying crash that occurred on a flight from Minneapolis to Toronto, offering $30,000 to each of the 76 passengers as a gesture of goodwill.
The offer comes after the plane lost control during its landing at Toronto Pearson Airport, flipping upside down and bursting into flames.
The Terrifying Incident
On Monday afternoon, the flight encountered heavy winds as it approached the runway in Toronto.
Despite the best efforts of the crew, the plane lost control, leading to a dramatic and dangerous crash.
As the aircraft hit the ground, the wing snapped, and the plane flipped upside down.
Passengers were left hanging from their seats in a terrifying scene, which one survivor described as “hanging like bats.”
Miraculously, all of the passengers and crew survived the crash, although 21 people were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Delta Airlines spokesperson Morgan Durrant confirmed the airline’s offer of $30,000 for each passenger involved in the incident, assuring that the payment comes with no strings attached and will not affect any future legal claims.
The $30,000 Offer and Public Reaction
The airline’s monetary offer has sparked a range of reactions from the public.
While some passengers express relief and gratitude for the offer, others are skeptical about the airline’s motivations. Some argue that the amount doesn’t come close to compensating for the trauma and potential legal claims, while others are impressed by the airline’s generous response.
One passenger remarked, “30k would barely cover what I had in my luggage, so yeah.
Y’all don’t settle for less than 200k and lifetime flights.”
Others, however, were more appreciative. “30 racks, wow.
I would be part of a flip just for the Instagram stories,” one comment read, referring to the stunning images of the flipped plane on the icy runway.
Some passengers were also reflecting on the experience with a sense of gratitude for surviving, with one saying, “We were upside down hanging like bats, but we were lucky to be alive.”
Investigation and Safety Concerns
As the investigation into the crash continues, Delta CEO Ed Bastian defended the pilots, stating that they are trained to handle difficult conditions, including heavy winds.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Federal Aviation Administration are working together to determine the cause of the crash.
Bastian emphasized that there is “only one level of safety” across the airline and its subsidiaries.
Still, the event has raised questions about aviation safety in light of several high-profile incidents this year, including a deadly collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet, as well as the crash of a medical jet in Philadelphia.
Passenger Accounts of the Crash
In the aftermath of the crash, passengers shared their terrifying experiences.
Pete Koukov, who had been filming ski content on the flight, recounted having to unstrap himself from his seat while upside down before quickly rushing to an emergency exit.
“Just feeling lucky and happy I got to give the person I didn’t know sitting next to me a big hug, that we were OK,” he said.
John Nelson, another passenger, described the moment of impact.
“We hit the ground, and we were sideways, and then we were upside down hanging like bats,” he recalled.
He noted that the strong gusty winds and snow-covered runways made the landing feel more difficult than usual, but added that the hard impact was a shock.
Aviation Under Scrutiny
With multiple tragic crashes in the early part of 2025, aviation safety is under intense scrutiny.
The tragic crash between a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight, which killed 67 people, is still under investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board has highlighted concerns about staffing and air traffic control during the incident, adding more pressure on the industry to address safety standards.
In the same period, two more fatal aviation incidents occurred: a medical jet crash in Philadelphia, which killed all six people on board, and a small plane crash in Alaska that claimed the lives of all 10 passengers.
These events have led to heightened concerns about safety, as many look for answers and accountability in the wake of these tragedies.
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