Twenty passengers have filed a lawsuit against Delta Air Lines, alleging the airline operated a flight into severe turbulence despite warnings about dangerous weather conditions.
The case involves Delta Flight 56, a Salt Lake City to Amsterdam service that encountered violent turbulence on July 30, 2025, while flying at 37,000 feet over Wyoming. Passengers claim the aircraft was hit by extreme turbulence for around two and a half minutes.
According to the lawsuit, air traffic control had warned the crew about developing storms before the incident, while other aircraft reportedly avoided the area. Passengers also allege the seatbelt sign was off and cabin service was underway when the turbulence struck.
The complaint says passengers without seatbelts were thrown into the ceiling, causing injuries including broken bones, spinal injuries, and cuts. Loose items and service carts reportedly moved through the cabin during the event.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported that the aircraft diverted to Minneapolis-St. Paul, where emergency crews responded. Delta previously said 25 people were taken for medical evaluation.
The airline has not yet responded to the allegations in court. The investigation remains ongoing, with the NTSB also reviewing the crew’s weather information and decisions before the turbulence encounter.