Couple gain ‘unauthorized access’ to American Airlines jet in Philadelphia

An American Airlines plane is on a runway at the Philadelphia International Airport this year. An American Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Boston was delayed after a couple walked onto the plane unnoticed. File photo by EQRoy/Shutterstock

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 23 (UPI) — Two people gained “unauthorized access” to an American Airlines plane Sunday, delaying a flight from Philadelphia to Boston.

American Airlines Flight 1655 was scheduled to depart Philadelphia International Airport at 8 a.m.

But around 6 a.m., a couple, who did not speak English, walked onto the plane, left their luggage and and returned to the gate area, an American Airlines representative told WVBC-TV in Boston.

The captain said the jetway door was not locked overnight, one passenger said.

“Two passengers gained unauthorized access to one of our aircrafts earlier this morning,” the airline said in a statement. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are utilizing a different aircraft for the flight to Boston. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience.”

Passengers took off on a different plane shortly before 11 a.m.

An American Airlines representative told WPVI in Philadelphia it wasn’t considered a security breach because all passengers had gone through Transportation Security Administration screening.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here