Delta Flight Attendant Accidentally Deploys Slide, Delays Passengers

ATLANTA, Georgia – A Delta Air Lines flight attendant accidentally deployed an emergency evacuation slide on an Airbus A220 at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) on Saturday evening, October 25, 2025, causing approximately $70,000 in damages and delaying passengers. The incident occurred just as the aircraft was preparing for pushback.

The veteran crew member, who has 26 years of experience, armed the doors for departure but mistakenly lifted the door handle for the forward left-hand slide, triggering an automatic deployment. This specific door is also used for jetbridge connection, complicating the evacuation process.

According to the airline, once the mechanism is engaged, the door opens and the slide inflates within seconds, leaving no time for the attendant to intervene. Passengers were temporarily trapped onboard as engineers worked to detach the inflated slide and reconnect the jetbridge.

Emergency evacuation slides can be expensive, with replacements for smaller jets like the A220 typically ranging from $50,000 to $70,000. In some cases, slides can be carefully deflated and repacked, although this process incurs an additional cost of around $30,000 due to manufacturer handling and inspection fees.

Incidents like these are classified within the aviation industry as Inadvertent Slide Deployments (ISDs). While rare, Airbus statistics indicate there can be up to three such occurrences each day across the global fleet. Most ISDs happen during the disarming phase after landing, when crew members are preparing for arrival.

Despite implementing strict cross-check procedures to minimize human error, mistakes can happen, especially in situations where a single flight attendant operates at the front door. An unplanned slide deployment can pose serious risks to ground personnel and nearby equipment.

In response to concerns about ISDs, airlines like British Airways are introducing additional safety protocols. In 2023, they adopted the Japanese method of “Shisa Kanko,” where crew members point to controls and verbally confirm actions to reduce mistakes.

Delta has not announced any potential procedural changes following this recent incident. The event highlights the need for ongoing training and emphasis on procedural discipline in cabin safety operations.