My flight was delayed 8 times over 21 hours and caused such an uproar, police were called to the gate. Here's what I learned from the nightmare experience.

Suneil KamathDec 31, 2022, 18:14 IST

My flight from Miami to Rio de Janeiro in December was delayed for over 21 hours.Suneil Kamath

I flew from Florida to Brazil with American Airlines and the flight was delayed for over 21 hours.
Customers were so angry and frustrated with the ordeal that airport police came to the gate.

My parents and I booked a flight to Rio de Janeiro for the holidays. We started off in Columbus, Ohio, and had a layover in Miami before our 11 p.m. flight to Brazil.

My mom and I waiting for our flight.Suneil Kamath

About an hour before boarding, a gate agent announced over the loudspeaker that the flight was delayed due to the airplane's brakes malfunctioning.

The flight was first delayed for an hour.Suneil Kamath

Around 1 a.m., the desk agent announced that the flight would be delayed 12 hours later to 1 p.m., and no hotel vouchers would be provided.

Customers in line at the help desk.Suneil Kamath

As we walked up to the gate, I saw fellow passengers who'd spent the night at the airport, sleeping on chairs and on the floor.

Pillows and blankets from the plane passengers slept at the airport.Suneil Kamath

As the rescheduled departure time neared, we were hopeful that the flight would be ready to leave.

Passengers waiting for our plane.Suneil Kamath

Around 12:30 p.m., agents announced that the flight would be delayed to 1:30 p.m. I saw several tweets about the situation from fellow flyers.

A frustrated customer’s tweet.Suneil Kamath

A manager for American Airlines soon arrived to field questions.

A manager fielded customer questions and complaints.Suneil Kamath

Delays continued and we were sent to different gates throughout the terminal.

Passengers at the new gate awaiting snacks that never came.Suneil Kamath

Around 3:45 p.m., American Airlines secured a new plane for us and we boarded.

Passengers recording and cheering the new plane’s arrival.Suneil Kamath

But after 30 minutes, the pilot asked us to disembark because the plane had mechanical issues.

Passengers deplaning.Suneil Kamath

At this point, we'd been delayed over 15 hours from the original flight time, and the gate agents said they couldn't provide any more food vouchers. I saw more tweets from passengers tagging the airline about the ordeal.

A frustrated customer tweet.Suneil Kamath

At this point, we'd been delayed over 15 hours from the original flight time, and the gate agents said they couldn't provide any more food vouchers. I saw more tweets from passengers tagging the airline about the ordeal.

American then sent us to a new gate to get updated boarding passes and to wait for our plane.

A line of customers.Suneil Kamath

I contacted customer service by phone and social media, but that didn't resolve any problems.

Customers waiting at the gate.Suneil Kamath

Some passengers started screaming and yelling, even leading to the airport police arriving at the gate.

Airport police standing behind desk agents.Suneil Kamath

At this point, I was very frustrated, but what helped me get through the situation was connecting with other passengers.

Passengers still waiting at the gate.Suneil Kamath

After over 21 hours, we finally boarded around 8 p.m., which was approximately 21 hours after our original departure time of 11 p.m. the day prior.

The final boarding call.Suneil Kamath

Thankfully, our plane took off. After the approximately nine-hour flight, we finally made it to Brazil.

Excited to finally be on the way to Brazil.Suneil Kamath

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My flight was delayed 8 times over 21 hours and caused such an uproar, police were called to the gate. Here's what I learned from the nightmare experience.

My parents and I booked a flight to Rio de Janeiro for the holidays. We started off in Columbus, Ohio, and had a layover in Miami before our 11 p.m. flight to Brazil.

About an hour before boarding, a gate agent announced over the loudspeaker that the flight was delayed due to the airplane's brakes malfunctioning.

Around 1 a.m., the desk agent announced that the flight would be delayed 12 hours later to 1 p.m., and no hotel vouchers would be provided.

As we walked up to the gate, I saw fellow passengers who'd spent the night at the airport, sleeping on chairs and on the floor.

As the rescheduled departure time neared, we were hopeful that the flight would be ready to leave.

Around 12:30 p.m., agents announced that the flight would be delayed to 1:30 p.m. I saw several tweets about the situation from fellow flyers.

A manager for American Airlines soon arrived to field questions.

Delays continued and we were sent to different gates throughout the terminal.

Around 3:45 p.m., American Airlines secured a new plane for us and we boarded.

But after 30 minutes, the pilot asked us to disembark because the plane had mechanical issues.

At this point, we'd been delayed over 15 hours from the original flight time, and the gate agents said they couldn't provide any more food vouchers. I saw more tweets from passengers tagging the airline about the ordeal.

American then sent us to a new gate to get updated boarding passes and to wait for our plane.

I contacted customer service by phone and social media, but that didn't resolve any problems.

Some passengers started screaming and yelling, even leading to the airport police arriving at the gate.

At this point, I was very frustrated, but what helped me get through the situation was connecting with other passengers.

After over 21 hours, we finally boarded around 8 p.m., which was approximately 21 hours after our original departure time of 11 p.m. the day prior.

Thankfully, our plane took off. After the approximately nine-hour flight, we finally made it to Brazil.