Delta Passenger Claims Poisonous Weed in First Class Meal, Alleges Evidence Tampering
A recent Delta Air Lines flight from Chicago to Seattle took a disturbing turn when a first-class passenger reported finding and ingesting a toxic weed in his salad. The passenger claims that after discovering the black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) in his meal, a flight attendant confiscated the evidence, hindering a proper response.
Key Takeaways
- A Delta first-class passenger ingested black nightshade from his salad.
- The passenger became ill with typical symptoms of poisoning.
- A flight attendant allegedly confiscated the plant, refusing to return it or show it to paramedics.
- Delta offered the passenger 3,000 frequent flyer miles as compensation.
The Incident Unfolds
The passenger, who has a background in horticulture science, was en route to Seattle when he noticed an unusual taste in his "Southwest Harvest Salad." Upon closer inspection with the cabin light on, he discovered a stalk of black nightshade, complete with flowers, mixed into his meal. He realized he had already consumed an unknown amount of the toxic plant.
Shortly after, he began experiencing symptoms including intestinal cramping, diarrhea, excess salivation, nausea, and vomiting. He managed to save the uneaten portion of the plant to provide to paramedics upon arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). However, he alleges that a lead flight attendant named Larisa took the specimen from him while he was in the lavatory being sick and refused to return it or show it to the arriving paramedics, stating it was "Delta’s property now."
Delta’s Response and Passenger’s Concerns
Following the incident, the passenger reached out to Delta, expressing his concerns. The airline’s initial response was an offer of 3,000 frequent flyer miles. A Delta spokesperson stated that the airline takes the report seriously and is investigating the claims, emphasizing their stringent quality assurance measures for onboard food and beverages.
The passenger, identified as J.A.R. in comments on the original blog post, clarified that he does not believe the plant was intentionally added to his meal, attributing it to weeds inadvertently entering the salad greens. His primary concern lies with Delta’s handling of the situation, particularly the alleged confiscation of evidence and the denial of access to paramedics. He also found the compensation offer to be inappropriately low given the experience.
Public Reaction and Further Questions
The incident has sparked considerable discussion online, with many expressing shock at the passenger’s alleged poisoning and the flight attendant’s actions. Some commenters questioned the airline’s procedures and the adequacy of their response, while others debated the passenger’s account and the potential for intentional adulteration. The passenger has since clarified his stance, emphasizing his belief that the incident was accidental but Delta’s response was inadequate. He hopes for a more reasonable discussion with the airline.
