Where others have turned back, Delta #DL431 presses on. #Irma
? https://t.co/XN6E2TcXUN pic.twitter.com/YRXxEduTok
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) September 6, 2017
A Delta flight from New York to San Juan, Puerto Rico went viral this week after the pilot flew a commercial Boeing 737 directly into Hurricane Irma.
While others turned back or changed course around Irma, Flight DL431 decided to push straight through.
The flight was tracked in real time with Flightradar24, a twitter account that tracks live air traffic by flight number.
"This is your Captain speaking. Do you guys want to go see something cool?" #DL431 #Irma2017 #Delta pic.twitter.com/i43qRnbJC2
— Devo Dalek (@DevoDalek) September 6, 2017
Images like the one shown above show no other planes daring to make the venture of Flight DL431.
Viewers across the globe watched the brave captain and his gallant crew as they ventured into the arms of a category 5 hurricane. Some voiced their concerns,
You really want to fly into SJU during a category 5 hurricane, DL431?
Everyone else has turned around. pic.twitter.com/nHdChvYh2Y
— Jason Rabinowitz (@AirlineFlyer) September 6, 2017
Unbelievably, the aircraft made a safe landing beneath in conditions that must have been categorized as “less than ideal.”
Aaaaaaaand… Landed! #DL431 #Irma https://t.co/XN6E2TcXUN pic.twitter.com/mrqQsaYpre
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) September 6, 2017
But would they make it out in time?
https://t.co/YvkZOukBOS already listing the return flight to JFK as "boarding" pic.twitter.com/VEk2N1bpqW
— Jason Rabinowitz (@AirlineFlyer) September 6, 2017
After what must have been a white-knuckle refuel, the plane was airborne again in less than an hour headed back to New York.
Total time on ground for this 737-900ER: 52 minutes
That includes both taxi-in and taxi-out pic.twitter.com/QqwnCeXWRz
— Jason Rabinowitz (@AirlineFlyer) September 6, 2017
Time to go. #DL431 headed back to New York as #DL302.
? https://t.co/NiVA33ggqx pic.twitter.com/Y8fiPibN4N
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) September 6, 2017
The plane managed to “thread the needle” between the arms of the hurricane on its way back home.
Now DL302 has to climb out of SJU, and they're doing so between the outer band of #Irma and the core of the storn. Amazing stuff. pic.twitter.com/lOq9Te5DO6
— Jason Rabinowitz (@AirlineFlyer) September 6, 2017
As Flight DL431 made its return trip, a few other pilots considered flying into Irma, but changed their minds and turned back.
A few flights attempted to squeak into @AeropuertoSJU ahead of Hurricane #Irma
Too late. 2x @JetBlue & 1 @AmericanAir flight turning around pic.twitter.com/ssGLh5EFCp
— Jason Rabinowitz (@AirlineFlyer) September 6, 2017
Once they passed outside Irma’s reach, Flight DL431 had clear skies almost the whole way back.
Well, that's the end of that story. DL302 is reaching the edge of #Irma's outer bands.
Guess the flight crew serves lunch now…? pic.twitter.com/IDTV3WuLd5
— Jason Rabinowitz (@AirlineFlyer) September 6, 2017
Viewers absolutely loved it.
This pilot deserves everything. https://t.co/1Ol9sCJCwJ
— The MC Wale (@theMCwale) September 6, 2017
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