Transportation Secretary Investigates Delta Tarmac Incident in Extreme Heat at Las Vegas Airport

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has expressed concern and launched an investigation into why passengers onboard a Delta Air Lines flight were left on the tarmac at Las Vegas airport in extreme heat for four hours on Monday July 17. Buttigieg called the situation “infuriating” and “shocking” and wants to understand how such a scenario was allowed to happen.

During tarmac delays, airlines are required to provide comfortable cabin temperatures and begin moving the plane within three hours for delayed domestic flights, allowing passengers to exit. Delta is currently reviewing the incident, and some passengers were attended to by first responders, with a flight attendant and a passenger being taken to a local hospital.

The incident involved Flight 555 from Las Vegas to Atlanta, which was eventually canceled. Passengers reportedly endured 111-degree Fahrenheit (43.8 Celsius) heat with no air conditioning while waiting on the tarmac. The pilot later announced the plane’s return to the gate, citing multiple emergencies. Passengers were given the option to leave the plane, but they were warned that finding another flight to Atlanta could take days.

Delta claims the initial departure until the flight’s cancellation was just over three hours, and one gate return was made due to heat-related weight and balance issues. The airline has apologized directly to the affected passengers, providing compensatory gestures and alternative accommodation on other flights. The investigation aims to determine whether there were violations of tarmac delay rules and maximum cabin temperature regulations.