In a seasonal stowaway tale during one of the world’s busiest weeks for travel, an unauthorised passenger boarded a transatlantic flight in the United States and managed to fly all the way to the final destination in France before being challenged, US authorities have revealed.
The incident occurred on a Delta Airlines route from New York’s JFK to Paris Charles de Gaulle and is a safety breach that has caused significant concern. It is as yet unclear how the individual succeeded in passing through airport security screening, as well as two identity and “boarding status” checks in New York prior to getting on Delta flight 264.
From loo to loo
Once on board, the stowaway spent the flight going from one lavatory to another, since there appeared to be no free seats, according to fellow passenger Rob Jackson, who told CNN: “Apparently, she hid in a lavatory all the way at the rear of the aircraft when we departed JFK.”
Jackson reported that he “overheard the flight attendants talking about it with the pilots – they said this person was in one lavatory and then would exit and walk to a different lavatory and go in there for a long time.”
Other passengers remained apparently unaware of the issue until the plane’s arrival in the City of Lights. “The first announcement to passengers that there was a problem was when we parked at the gate and they instructed us all to remain seated because French police were going to board the aircraft to deal with ‘a serious security issue,’” Jackson said.
An investigation is underway into how a stowaway passenger snuck past a gate agent to board a Delta flight. @trevorlault reports. pic.twitter.com/4gusKDiNgY
— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 28, 2024
“Inconceivable”
A recording made by Jackson at the end of the flight reveals the Captain’s announcement to flyers. “Folks, this is the captain, we are just waiting for the police to come on board. They may be here now and they directed us to keep everyone on the airplane until we sort out the extra passenger that’s on the plane.”
While there has been relief that the passenger was not carrying any banned items or substances, commentators have expressed incredulity that the situation was able to arise. Former commercial pilot, JP Tristani, told Eyewitness News: “There’s a failure here that frankly, 33 years flying worldwide airlines, that it’s inconceivable to me.”
While the FBI and French authorities have not yet responded to press requests, Delta has put out a statement reiterating its commitment to aircraft and passenger welfare. “Nothing is of greater importance than matters of safety and security,” the carrier said. “That’s why Delta is conducting an exhaustive investigation of what may have occurred and will work collaboratively with other aviation stakeholders and law enforcement to that end.”
