Delta Air Lines is reportedly offering $30,000 to each passenger onboard Flight 4819 that crashed while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. According to the airline, this is being offered as a gesture of goodwill and will not prevent passengers from taking legal action against the Atlanta based carrier and its wholly owned subsidiary, Endeavor Air.
There were 76 passengers and four crew onboard the flight between Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) when the aircraft crashed and rolled over while landing in gusty conditions. At $30,000 per passenger, that represents roughly $2.3 million in payments by the airline.
This seems like a great gesture by the airline and will no doubt create some goodwill between Delta and the traveling public. Most, but not all, passengers left items onboard after the crash and while some may be returned, other items may have been damaged. Due to the delayed removal of the aircraft and the ongoing investigation, it could be weeks or months before passengers are reunited with their belongings.
The carrier has also done a great job of keeping everyone up to date on the details surrounding the accident, I suspect that this is due to the fact there were no fatalities and the last injured passenger has been released from the hospital. Delta CEO Ed Bastian said:
“The Delta and Endeavor families are grateful that all those injured Monday have been released from the hospital, and we extend our thanks to everyone who provided care to them over the past few days. We will continue to connect one-on-one with customers, employees and loved ones as we move forward to make sure their needs are met with care.”
Summary
Delta Air Lines is giving each passenger onboard Flight 4819 a $30,000, no strings attached, payment. This is a generous gesture by the airline and one that other carriers may not have offered in a similar scenario. The carrier has also done a great job of keeping everyone up to date on the aftermath of the accident with the final injured passenger being released from the hospital.
(Image courtesy Delta Air Lines)
American did similar a couple weeks ago with the DC accident for family members who needed things like a locksmith to get into a loved one’s car or house. Just about any airline would. Having been part of the response team for an airline that gets criticized for “nickel and dime” charges, I would have been in a Wells Fargo having a duffel bag filled with cash in such a situation.