25 Onboard Delta Flight Hospitalized After Plane Faces ‘Significant Turbulence’
ForbesJUL 29
Delta Flight Makes Emergency Landing, 25 Hospitalized After Turbulence
Above: A Delta Airlines A321 airplane taxis at San Diego International Airport before departing on May 9, 2025. Image copyright: Kevin Carter/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This terrifying incident proves why safety protocols must be followed at all times. Passengers without seatbelts were violently thrown against the ceiling by sudden turbulence, highlighting the critical importance of wearing seatbelts whenever possible throughout flights. It’s no wonder that 80% of injuries from turbulence happen to crew members, who are often moving through the cabin and aren’t secured.
Narrative B
This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of clear air turbulence that can strike without warning. Despite advanced weather prediction systems, pilots are powerless to avoid it. The violent shakeup that injured 25 passengers shows that no amount of forecasting can prevent this invisible danger. Air travelers must face the reality that clear air turbulence will always remain a threat.