American Airlines passengers were recently stranded at the airport for 14 hours after their flight suddenly became international
Plane passengers are accustomed to delays and other interruptions. However, they don’t expect to become stranded in an airport for several hours in a country they didn’t expect to travel to. This recently happened to a group of travelers using American Airlines to go to Miami. Many were left without food and water during that time.
These plane passengers suddenly had an international flight without an important document
According to Business Insider, an American Airlines flight carrying airplane passengers from Puerto Rico to Miami changed courses to the Bahamas due to harsh weather conditions. However, many of the plane passengers aboard the aircraft lacked passports, which means they were unable to leave the airport gate while in the Bahamas.
The outlet spoke to one of the plane passengers who had chosen to travel to Puerto Rico for this very reason. He said, “I don’t have a passport. I can’t be in the Bahamas. I legally can’t be there.”
The passengers stayed at the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau for about 14 hours. Some passengers had passports, but customs kept everyone from leaving the gate since most did not. This left them without food and water. However, the airline eventually got water, Biscoff cookies, and doughnuts. The group of passengers also had to share a single restroom.
One person called the experience “mentally and physically exhausting.” The man continued, “We’re basically just in a glass box. It’s like a zoo.” Sadly, the airlines first told the plane passengers they’d have a new flight and crew within two hours. However, this didn’t happen.
A spokesperson for American Airlines said this regarding the stranded plane passengers, “Operating safely is always our priority — especially in dynamic weather events — and we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience experienced as a result of the weather.”
Now, some of the plane passengers have tried to get refunds. However, the airline has already denied some of the requests. Many of them still had to drive their cars long distances after the ordeal was over.
