Delta Seoul to Minneapolis Flight with A350 Makes Emergency Landing at Seattle

SEATTLE- Delta Air Lines (DL), operating a flight from Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), was forced to make an emergency landing at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on July 6, 2025.

Flight DL170 diverted during its journey due to a severe medical emergency involving an elderly passenger. The aircraft landed safely at SEA, where medical personnel were ready to assist the passenger shortly after arrival.

The incident occurred over the Pacific Ocean, approximately three hours away from Seattle, as the flight traversed between Alaska and Washington.

Witnesses reported that an elderly man in his 70s became unresponsive and exhibited signs of low oxygen levels. In response, flight attendants announced a call for medical professionals on board, which brought a doctor and a nurse to provide assistance.

The passenger was described as slouched and only able to respond minimally. Earlier in the day, he had complained of chest pain. In-flight responders were able to administer oxygen and began coordinating with Delta’s ground medical team.

Despite showing slight improvement, the decision was made to divert to Seattle to ensure that the passenger received immediate medical care.

Upon landing at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), emergency medical technicians (EMTs) were on hand to assist. The passenger was swiftly transported off the aircraft for further medical treatment, thanks to Delta’s efficient coordination with ground services, which ensured prompt care.

After landing, the aircraft had to remain on the ground for about two hours due to restrictions on the flight crew’s duty times. Eventually, passengers were allowed to disembark while alternate travel arrangements were organized.

Challenges with Passenger Rebooking Following Diversion

Passengers, particularly those with connecting flights at MSP, experienced delays and significant rebooking challenges. The rebooking process at SEA encountered complications due to system limitations, as the Delta app did not recognize Seattle as the new destination for an extended period.

Many travelers resorted to seeking help from in-terminal agents, who faced difficulties in using manual rebooking protocols that required extensive phone verifications.

While some passengers managed to secure later direct flights, others had no choice but to wait for the aircraft to resume its journey once a new crew was available. The inefficiencies in handling rebookings related to the diversion sparked frustration among the travelers.

Although the emergency landing demonstrated effective response and cooperation among the in-flight crew, medical professionals, and airport responders, the situation post-diversion pointed to several areas needing operational enhancements.

Issues such as delays in app notifications, complex rebooking procedures, and significant reliance on manual processes highlighted the necessity for improved contingency plans to better manage these situations.

Despite the disruption, passengers praised the professionalism of the Delta Air Lines team and the medical responders for their prompt action in managing the medical emergency midair.

Overview of Technical ACARS Message

Examining the ACARS message details:

Message Header:

Aircraft: A359 (Airbus A350-900)
Registration: N508DN (Delta Air Lines)
Flight: DL170
ICAO Code: A65800
Source: L-98W (presumably ground station)
Time: 2025-07-06 18:16:01 UTC

Message Content: This is a diversion message consisting of two parts:

Part 1 – Initial Diversion Notice:

AES (Aircraft Earth Station) message indicating a diversion uplink
Regulatory compliance for all diversions
Timing details for the flight (beginning when in-airborne and concluding upon landing)
Directions from the Captain regarding passenger management during the diversion

Part 2 – Updated Flight Plan:

Medical emergency leading to diversion to KSEA (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport)
The previous destination was likely an international airport
Direct routing with provisions for emergency circumstances
Weight considerations: roughly 3000 lbs above maximum landing weight
Mandatory fuel dumping and inspection upon landing
Replan from 5000N13959 (likely a waypoint over the Pacific)

Flight Details: