Reactions to Delta Air Lines’ compensation offer for passengers aboard the recent Toronto crash have been mixed. Social media platforms quickly became flooded with debates after USA Today reported that Delta would be offering each passenger $30,000. The airline clarified that this payment came with no conditions and would not impact passengers’ legal rights.
Many users expressed relief that all passengers survived and viewed the compensation as a generous gesture. Some were quick to joke about the situation, with one Reddit user quipping, “How do I volunteer to survive a plane crash without injuries and get paid [sic].” Others, however, felt that the amount was far too low for the trauma endured, with one Facebook commenter asserting, “Too little for that much Trauma, PTSD to ever fly again, imagine yourself that this is it, that moment the plane crashed [sic]!” Another suggested an alternative package: “100k, free medical, free flights forever. That or 100000$ [sic].”
Critics also questioned whether the amount was being offered to dissuade passengers from pursuing lawsuits. A netizen pointed out, “30K per person is way less than they’ll pay out if everyone sues them separately,” while another echoed, “Class action, 100%. $30k is nothing.”
The crash occurred when a Bombardier CRJ900, operated by Endeavor Air, attempted to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport around 2:45 p.m. The aircraft flipped onto its roof and broke apart, but miraculously, all 76 passengers and four crew members were evacuated safely. Eighteen people sustained injuries, though none were life-threatening.
Experts believe that the relatively small size of the plane, along with passengers wearing seat belts, played a crucial role in preventing fatalities. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, led by Canada’s Transportation Safety Board with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
In the days following the incident, passengers began sharing their firsthand accounts online. One individual took to Reddit to describe the terrifying experience, offering to answer questions. In response to inquiries about non-disclosure agreements and evacuation details, the passenger clarified, “No NDA, no real debrief. I think the local responders were as shocked as we were with the incident! One paramedic I asked said the last time something on this scale happened was ~20 years ago with Air France.”
Recounting the moment of impact, the user described feeling turbulence before landing, followed by a sudden jolt. “The world tilted, and an orange glow ignited on the right side of the aircraft. I remember it was fairly dark apart from that glow.”
Screams filled the cabin, but once the plane came to a stop, there was an eerie silence before passengers rushed to escape. The individual admitted their first thought was grim: “WELP. I’m gonna die.” Sitting in an aisle seat above the wing, they recalled witnessing the aircraft’s wings snap off and sparks erupt outside.
Passengers had to release themselves from their seats and assist others before making their way out. The tail section had detached during the crash, leaving only one usable emergency exit while another spewed jet fuel when opened. Despite the chaos, the survivor recounted witnessing many selfless acts. “I saw so many people acting selflessly, comforting one another, and making sure we all made it out. I’m a pessimist, but this did give me a little more hope for humanity 😀.”
Another survivor, John Nelson, recounted his experience during an interview with CNN. He described how, at first, the landing seemed typical despite noticing strong winds and snow covering the runways. “We were coming in, and I did notice that the winds were super gusty, the snow had kind of blown over the runways, and so coming in, it just uhm, it was routine but like, it was noticeable that the runways were kind of in a weird condition.”
As the plane landed, it suddenly veered sideways and flipped. “I believe we skidded on our side and then flipped over on our back. Where we ended up, there was like a big fireball on the left side of the plane.”
When the plane finally stopped, everyone was suspended upside down in their seats. “We kind of let ourselves go and fell to hit the ceiling, which is a surreal feeling, and then everybody was just like, ‘Get out, get out, get out!’ We could smell jet fuel, even now I smell like jet fuel.” Passengers scrambled to exit through the back of the aircraft, where first responders were already on the scene.
Reflecting on the crash, Nelson admitted he was still in shock. “Stressed, nervous, shaky still,” he said. The CNN reporter acknowledged how visibly shaken he was. “Yeah, a lot of stress. It’s amazing that we’re still here,” he added.
When asked about the possible reasons for the crash, Nelson refrained from speculation. “I don’t know. I’m no expert on that one. I will let them figure it out. It feels like snow, wind, hard landing, all of it together.”
Nelson’s Facebook video of the crash site quickly went viral, with commenters expressing shock and relief. “Omg!! So scary!!” wrote one person. Another added, “Wow that is crazy scary! Glad you and everyone is [sic] safe!” Others voiced concern over the growing number of aviation accidents, with one remarking, “Scary stuff lately. Too many accidents in a short amount of time.”
As investigations continue, the debate over Delta’s compensation package remains heated. Some see the $30,000 as a generous goodwill gesture, while others argue that no amount of money can truly compensate for the trauma of surviving a plane crash.
