Delta Flight Returns Due to Pressurization Issues, Causing Bleeding and Ear Injuries

Flying can be stressful, especially when things go wrong mid-flight, like on a recent Delta flight where pressurization issues caused injuries. Keep scrolling to learn about how proper pressurization is key to flight safety, and why ear issues and bleeding occurred for the passengers onboard. 

Delta flight pressurization issue causes bleeding and injuries 

On Sunday, a Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City, Utah to Portland, Oregon was unable to pressurize above 10,000 feet causing passengers’ noses and ears to bleed.

Jaci Purser, a passenger on Delta Flight 1203, told NBC affiliate KSL-TV of Salt Lake City that it felt like somebody was stabbing her in the ear. “I grabbed my ear, and I pulled my hand back, and there was blood on it,” Purser said.

Other passengers reported feeling “really bad,” ear pain, ear bleeds and nose bleeds.

The flight returned to Salt Lake City where passengers were immediately tended to by medical professionals upon touchdown. 

Delta Airlines responds to mid-flight pressurization issues

At the time of the pressurization issue, passengers were not alerted as to why the flight was being rerouted back to Salt Lake City nor was the reason for the pressurization issue revealed.

Retired Delta Air Lines pilot Valerie Walker told KSL-TV that issues with cabin pressure can usually be solved mid-flight. That Delta Flight 1230 returned to its departure airport likely indicates that the pilot couldn’t find a way to re-pressurize the plane.

Delta technicians fixed the faulty aircraft, and the airline issued a statement apologizing to affected passengers for the inconvenience.

“We sincerely apologize to our customers for their experience on flight 1203 on Sept. 15…Delta offered to cover transportation for these customers to medical facilities,” said Delta Air Lines in their statement. 

Understanding the dangers of cabin pressurization failures 

The pressurization issue on Delta Flight 1203 is not the only occasion of sudden pressure changes in aircraft cabins this year. 

In January, passengers on an Alaska Airlines flight experienced an “explosive decompression” that ripped off an exit door, leaving a hole in the aircraft.

Aircraft cabins are pressurized for passenger comfort because higher altitudes mean less oxygen, making it harder to breathe.

When cabins experience a sudden change in pressure like on the recent Delta flight, it is common for passengers to experience a ruptured eardrum — the symptoms of which may include bleeding, ear pain, hearing loss and tinnitus. 

How to combat symptoms of mid-flight pressurization issues

Airplanes are amazing feats of physics and engineering but are not infallible as we’ve seen with the recent Delta flight pressurization issue.

In order to protect yourself in instances of sudden pressure changes follow all the instructions provided by your flight crew, especially wearing your seatbelt.

“I always wear my seatbelt, even if it’s really loose. It’s good for turbulence protection, which happens all the time, and it’s very good if you have a deep depressurization: you still might bounce around, but you won’t get sucked out,” Jonathan Clark, a professor of aerospace medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine, told CNN. 

In less severe cases of cabin pressure change, experts advise passengers to chew gum, drink fluids or hold your nose while gently blowing out to relieve any discomfort in your ears.