New York, NY – November 5, 2025 – A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) was evacuated Tuesday evening at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) after crew members received a bomb threat shortly before departure. The incident, which unfolded around 8 p.m. ET in Terminal C, prompted an immediate response from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Police Department, leading to a full aircraft search and passenger deplaning. Authorities confirmed no explosive devices were located, clearing the plane after nearly two hours of investigation.
According to an official statement from the Port Authority police, the threat was reported as the aircraft—Delta Flight DL 4975, operated by Endeavor Air (a Delta Connection regional carrier)—was taxiing away from Gate 76. The Airbus A220-100, registered as N141DU, was promptly returned to a remote area of the tarmac for safety. "Port Authority police responded to a reported bomb threat on a Delta flight at LaGuardia Airport," the PANYNJ said in a release. "The aircraft was moved to a secure location, and all passengers and crew were safely evacuated. A thorough search was conducted with the assistance of K-9 units and explosives detection teams."
Eyewitness accounts from passengers corroborated the sequence of events. Television host Jason Matheson, known for hosting The Jason Show on Fox 9 in Minneapolis, was aboard the flight and provided real-time updates via Instagram Stories from the tarmac. In a series of videos posted at approximately 8:45 p.m. ET, Matheson described hearing the pilot announce a "minor delay" over the PA system, followed by instructions to evacuate with only essential belongings. "We were told it's a security issue, but no one said 'bomb' at first," Matheson captioned one clip, showing emergency vehicles with flashing lights surrounding the plane. He noted that passengers were initially confused, with some speculating mechanical issues. Matheson's full Instagram reel, which garnered over 50,000 views within hours, included footage of families with children being escorted to buses for transport back to the terminal.
Another passenger, speaking anonymously to local outlet Eyewitness News ABC7, recounted seeing a specific individual being questioned by law enforcement before the general evacuation. "A man in seat 12A was pulled aside by the crew and then escorted off by police," the passenger said. "That's when things escalated." Video footage captured by bystanders and shared on X (formerly Twitter) showed the individual, described as a middle-aged male wearing a gray hoodie, being led away in handcuffs for questioning. He was later released without charges, as the threat was deemed non-credible.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded the flight temporarily, issuing a ground stop for all Delta Connection operations at LGA's Terminal C between 8:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET. This caused ripple effects, delaying at least 12 other departures. Emergency responders, including the New York Fire Department (FDNY) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) bomb squads, swept the aircraft using advanced screening technology, including trace detection swabs and X-ray scanners for luggage. "No hazardous materials or devices were discovered," confirmed TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein in a press briefing. The all-clear was announced at 10:05 p.m. ET.
Delta Air Lines issued a formal apology and outlined re-accommodation plans. In a statement emailed to media outlets, including TMZ (which first broke passenger interviews), a Delta spokesperson said: "Delta Flight 4975 from LGA to MSP experienced a security issue prior to departure on November 5. Out of an abundance of caution, the aircraft was evacuated, and law enforcement conducted a full search. We appreciate our customers' patience and apologize for the inconvenience. Affected passengers have been rebooked on alternate flights." Most of the 98 passengers and 5 crew members were placed on a replacement flight departing at 7:12 a.m. ET on November 6, with hotel vouchers and meal credits provided for overnight stays. Delta also offered 10,000 SkyMiles as compensation to each impacted traveler.
This was not an isolated event. Earlier on November 5, a separate bomb threat targeted American Airlines Flight 1234 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia. That flight, en route to Charlotte, was held at the gate around 10 a.m. ET after an anonymous call to airport operations. A similar evacuation and search ensued, with Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police declaring it a hoax by noon. No arrests were made in either case, but the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating potential links, including whether the threats originated from the same source—possibly a phoned-in hoax or social media post. "These disruptions are serious and resource-intensive," said FBI Special Agent in Charge David Sundberg. "We are coordinating with local law enforcement to trace the origins."
Aviation security experts contextualized the incidents amid a recent uptick in threats. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), bomb hoaxes at U.S. airports have risen 25% in 2025 compared to 2024, often fueled by online pranks or personal vendettas. "Social media amplifies these threats, but 99% are non-credible," noted aviation analyst Henry Harteveldt of Atmosphere Research Group. The TSA reported screening over 2.3 million passengers on November 5 alone, underscoring the strain on resources.
Passenger reactions varied. On Reddit's r/delta subreddit, users shared photos of the chaotic terminal re-entry, with lines snaking through security for re-screening. One post titled "Evacuated at LGA – What Happened?" received 2,500 upvotes, with commenters praising crew composure. "The flight attendants kept everyone calm," wrote user u/MSPBound87. Delta's crisis management was rated highly, though some criticized the initial lack of transparency about the bomb threat wording.
The aircraft, N141DU, resumed service on November 6 after a maintenance inspection. Flight tracking data from FlightAware showed it departing LGA at 7:18 a.m. ET and arriving MSP at 9:02 a.m. CT, with 92 passengers aboard.
In the broader context, these events highlight ongoing vulnerabilities in aviation security. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act mandates swift responses, but critics argue for better threat intelligence sharing. No injuries were reported, and operations at LGA returned to normal by midnight.
Delta encouraged affected customers to check the Fly Delta app for updates. For media inquiries, contact Delta Media Relations at media@delta.com.
