A major American airline is being sued after violent turbulence allegedly led to 25 passengers needing hospital treatment.
Delta Air Lines, which flies to more than 300 destinations, is being taken to court after a particularly bumpy journey.
The flight, which travelled between Salt Lake City International Airport, in Utah, and Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport was hit with severe turbulence on July 30, 2025.
It was passing over Wyoming, in the US, when the incident happened and passengers claim to have experienced ‘2.5 minutes of terror,’ the Mirror reports.
As a result, the plane was forced to divert and landed in Minnesota where 25 people were taken to hospital.
But now, a group of 20 passengers have filed a case against the airline in Utah’s 3rd District Court.
A Delta Air Lines flight on July 30, 2025 en route to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport from Salt Lake City International Airport was hit with severe turbulence (stock)
They claim the pilots ‘recklessly flew’ close to the thunderstorm which led to the extreme turbulence.
The lawsuit claims crew members had reportedly been warned about the weather but continued on their route with the seatbelt sign switched off.
It led to multiple passengers and crew suffering injuries.
‘Dozens of people required medical evaluation,’ a statement by Aviation Law Group reads.
‘Many passengers described a terrifying cabin scene, with people, carts, food, and personal items thrown through the aircraft.’
The group adds, ‘Despite multiple warnings, Delta Flight 56 was flown into an area with dangerous convective activity and extreme turbulence, with the seatbelt sign off, beverage service underway, and without any warning to passengers or the flight attendants.’
The lawsuit also alleges that air traffic control had approved a route deviation without the crew needing to request one, but the flight continued on its planned path.
The lawsuit claims ‘the aircraft was thrown into a violent upset’ during the turbulence.
The plane was forced to divert and landed in Minnesota where 25 people were taken to hospital (stock)
‘People struck ceilings, overhead bins, seat assemblies, and cabin fixtures,’ it alleges.
Passengers are said to have suffered injuries ranging from head and spinal trauma to broken bones and concussions.
No emergency was declared afterwards and the aircraft landed an hour and a half later at Minneapolis-St Paul instead of other closer hubs.
A Delta Air Lines spokesperson said: ‘We’re unable to comment on active litigation involving a matter that is currently under NTSB investigation.’
In a separate incident earlier this year, an easyJet flight declared an emergency and was forced to return to the UK after experiencing turbulence.
The flight set off from Glasgow Airport on Sunday, March 29, around midday and was en route to Jersey.
But soon after take-off, the plane reportedly declared a squawk 7700 which alerted air traffic control of an emergency.
The aircraft, for flight EZY439, turned around and returned to Glasgow after passing over Galloway just 30 minutes into its journey, according to Flightradar24.
A group of 20 passengers have filed a case against the airline in Utah’s 3rd District Court
It was later confirmed that the plane was hit by turbulence soon after setting off, when all passengers were seated, according to the airline.
The incident resulted in a crew member needing medical assistance, The Herald reports.
Once the aircraft landed, health services were ready to provide help and the flight was rescheduled.
A spokesperson for easyJet told the Daily Mail: ‘Flight EZY439 from Glasgow to Jersey on 29 March returned to Glasgow due to a cabin crew member requiring medical assistance.
‘The flight landed normally in Glasgow and was met by medical services on the ground. Customers continued their journey to Jersey later that afternoon, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. The safety and wellbeing of customers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.’
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