Delta Passengers Endure 24-hour Detroit–Shanghai Flight after Captain Falls Ill

What was supposed to be a 16-hour nonstop journey to Shanghai turned into a grueling 24-hour flight for Delta Air Lines passengers.

Detroit/Shanghai, September 3, 2025 — Flight DL389, an Airbus A350-900 (registration N509DN), departed Detroit at 10:19 a.m. on Saturday with an expected arrival in Shanghai the following morning. But just over five hours into the flight, the crew announced that the aircraft would divert nearly 4,000 kilometers off course to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where a replacement pilot could be located.

The captain at the controls had reported being unfit to continue, a particularly serious concern as the aircraft was preparing to cross the Pacific Ocean. Once on the ground in Los Angeles, passengers were required to remain onboard while Delta scrambled to find another pilot. The wait lasted about three hours before the jet was able to continue its journey.

The aircraft eventually landed safely in Shanghai more than 24 hours after departure, completing one of Delta’s longest-ever passenger experiences on record.

Delta Air Lines issued an apology to affected travelers, stating: “We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel. The safety of our passengers and crew is always our top priority.”

Though disruptive, the incident ended safely. Aviation experts noted that similar cases have occurred before, including one in 2024 when a Southwest Airlines captain collapsed mid-flight, forcing a qualified passenger pilot to step in and assist the first officer.

For passengers on DL389, the memory of a 24-hour marathon journey will likely linger long after their arrival in Shanghai.