MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Delta Airlines flight encountered an unusual delay when two pigeons managed to sneak aboard a plane scheduled to depart from Minneapolis to Madison, Wisconsin. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in the flight being delayed on two separate occasions due to the unexpected avian passengers.

The airline confirmed that the pigeons boarded the aircraft, leading to considerable disruption. A passenger named Tom Caw recorded video footage of an onboard situation where another person was attempting to capture one of the birds using his jacket. Caw noted that the plane had to return to the gate twice as the pigeons were flying around the cabin, causing concern amongst the passengers and crew.

According to Caw, the first pigeon was successfully captured by a member of the ground crew. However, the second bird remained troublesome until a passenger intervened. Caw recounted the experience, noting that when the pilot contacted the control tower about returning due to the pigeon issue, the controller stated that it was a first for him. Interestingly, the pilot shared that this was the second time he had dealt with such a problem on that very flight, with the initial incident occurring about half an hour earlier.

Delta Airlines released a statement regarding the incident, confirming that the flight was delayed by a total of 56 minutes due to the presence of the birds. The airline expressed appreciation for the prompt and careful actions taken by both crew members and customers to ensure the safe removal of the two birds prior to takeoff. In their statement, Delta also extended apologies to the passengers affected by the delay.

This incident was not an isolated one for Delta Airlines over the Memorial Day weekend. On the following Monday night, another flight—this one from Detroit to Los Angeles—had to divert to Minneapolis due to a dog in the cabin that became ill during the journey. A veterinarian who happened to be on board assisted in caring for the sick dog, but ultimately, the decision was made to divert the flight to ensure the animal received proper medical attention upon landing. This diversion resulted in an additional delay of approximately two and a half hours.

Reacting to the situation involving the dog, a Delta spokeswoman emphasized the airline's commitment to customer and animal safety. She stated that the safety of passengers and crew members is the airline's top priority, which is why flight 694 was diverted to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to provide necessary care for the ailing pet.

The incidents highlight the ongoing challenges airlines face regarding safety and comfort, especially when unexpected situations arise involving animals. Delta Airlines' response to these challenges demonstrates their dedication to ensuring the well-being of their passengers, both human and animal alike.