A local resident – returning today from the funeral of his father in Israel has shared the following details of a harrowing flight which he and hundreds of others endured while flying from Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport on Wednesday.
“United Flight L91 from Israel had an originally scheduled departure of 11:25pm,but was delayed to a 12:30pm departure after being told there was an issue with de-icing system issue.
About two hours into the already-flight, we were notified that the plane was being diverted to Rome, Italy, but without being told the reason.
After landing in Rome at 3:40am local time, we were not provided with hotel rooms and the only food that we were offered was one drink and one sandwich per person at a bar/restaurant in the airport.
In addition, no area was set aside for the passengers to rest, nor were any accommodations provided, and passengers were left in the dark for hours regarding the extremely frustrating situation.
Several hours later, an airline representative attributed the diversion to an anti-icing system failure and safety concerns.
After nine (!!) hours, we were notified that boarding was further delayed, again with no reason provided.
At that point, most of the passengers were extremely uncomfortable following a night without sleep, adequate food and accommodations and emotional distress – and United began blaming the extra delay on not having the kosher meals ready, or not having enough meals.
This was after hours of having time to work put these logistics while awaiting the new plane.
Many passengers, which included handicapped individuals, young children, men, and woman of all ages, were complaining of sore throats, back pain, and other discomfort due to being left without accommodations and unable to leave the airport.
After nearly 12 hours of waiting in the airport, we finally departed Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport at 2:45pm local time, enroute to Newark Liberty International Airport, where we finally landed just before 5:45pm Eastern Time.
United is a disgrace! We had no food for hours cause Rome airport doesn’t have kosher food. Mothers didn’t have enough pampers for their babies and worst there was no one to talk to!
Yes I was on the flight it was a chaotic scene
I had a similar experience with United. Since it originated in Israel you can get a substantial payment from United. Contact “[email protected]
My wife just arrived home as well on that flight as people were enroute for more than twenty four hours without proper explanations to the passengers. It is disgrace for United to treat passengers this way and the passengers should be compensated or should not fly with them anymore if possible. You do not treat passengers like a piece of meat.
Thank G it wasen’t ElAl otherwise we would got an earful of anti chareidi/ anti semite propaganda. Next time pay a bit extra and fry a decent airline.
Call them up, make them give $2500 in flight credits, yours truly has done this for much smaller inconveniences and has gotten rewarded with free flight credits, miles etc….
The guy in the Philippines answering your call has nothing to gain or lose by hooking you up, so as Goose Gossage does call up be nice, ask for the moon & the stars and Ya never know!
If the first guy says “we can’t do that” or anything like that, just call again and some other guy getting $6 an hour in the Philippines may pull through for you.
Gossage out!
While I feel bad for the letter writer and the ppl on the flight with them. I don’t see why this is news. These things sometimes happen and while frustrating it’s a gamble you take by flying and not being able to control such situations.
Things happen but no accommodation that’s unacceptable!
Absolutely, you have to be prepared for anything.Bring extra if your traveling with children.Bring food in your bag in case.Whatever you need for yourself you bring. Do not expect anything in other countries. Pay for another carry on and bring what you need for a emergency.Your responsible for the items you need…
Be ready and prepared for flying.
Yes. Flying these days is like playing Russian roulette. As long as the airlines can get away with it, they’ll keep dishing it out
United is a great airline
Hakol bdei shamayim
Be mekabel the issurim b’ahava
Be grateful you got home safely.
And of course try to get United to compensate you appropriately. (Hishtadlus)
B”H I never had issues flying with United, and I fly to E”Y about once a year.
Next time don’t leave Israel. We all belong there, and every trip there is an opportunity to forgo the return trip to United States of Shmad.
I was on the flight as well. Its true that this was a frustrating experience, but to call it nightmarish is way over the top when Hashem protected us from anything remotely nightmarish.
Me and my family were on this dreadful flight, our experience was horrible, my kids were crying that they stoped their video in the middle and second flight did not have that video , unforgivable and I am never letting my kids watch again – horrible…. Worst experience ever …. !!!!
Thos is written by one of the passengers! We originally were supposed to land at 5 am and instead we landed at 5 pm!!!!!! This is insane!! We got on plane number 1 and we were told that there is a problem but they didn’t know what it was. Then after 30 minutes they said they found the problem and we were delayed another 30 minutes. Finally we took off. After 3 hours that said that the problem resurfaced and we would have to land in Rome. We landed in Rome and we were told that we would board a different plane to Newark. Our new flight was set for 11 am – that’s 9 hours!! They didn’t give us hotel rooms or beds.there was no kosher food in the airport and We slept on the floor without and comfort. At 11 we were told the flight would be delayed to 12. We finally boarded but didn’t take off till one hour later. The plane was delayed for another hour. they needed to bring the kosher food. Also the ac didn’t work. We finally left and flew to Newark. This flight was really long. We landed 12 hours late! Crazy!!!
Hey y’all!! I was on the flight and I think it was a grand adventure!! We stopped off in Rome!! Vive l’Italia!! Look at the bright side, humans! Ciao ciao! 😏
I don’t understand why everyone is freaking out! It’s the 9 days! Duh this is gonna happen!! We should use this as a life lesson and do tesuva and may meshiach come in our days amen
People should come ready for anything! You should always have a survival bag with extra food and other stuff on you! This could happen to anyone so don’t be the one suffering like the rest! Get prepared!!!!