Delta offers $30,000 to passengers after Toronto plane crash

Delta Air Lines compensates passengers after crash landing in Toronto.

Investigators inspect the wreckage of a Delta Air Lines plane a day after it crashed while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario, on February 18, 2025. Photo by Geoff Robins/AFP

By Nada Fadiyah and Widya Putri

Delta Air Lines has announced it will offer $30,000 to each passenger who was on board the flight that crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week. The U.S.-based airline confirmed the compensation on Wednesday, emphasizing that the payment is a goodwill gesture that does not affect passengers' legal rights.

"This gesture has no strings attached and does not affect rights" of passengers, a Delta spokesperson told AFP.

Crash landing leaves aircraft upside down in flames

The accident occurred on Monday when a Delta flight traveling from Minneapolis, Minnesota, attempted to land in Toronto. The Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft made a hard landing, flipped over, and came to a stop upside down on the runway. A fireball erupted on impact, with thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the aircraft as emergency responders rushed to the scene.

Despite the severity of the crash, none of the 80 passengers and crew members on board were killed. However, 21 people sustained injuries, with one passenger remaining hospitalized as of Wednesday morning.

Paramedics treated passengers for a range of injuries, including back sprains, head trauma, anxiety, and headaches.

Investigations underway into cause of crash

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation into the incident, with assistance from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Delta Air Lines, and Mitsubishi, the company that acquired Bombardier’s CRJ aircraft line in 2019.

Dramatic footage of the crash, verified by AFP, circulated widely on social media. The video shows the aircraft approaching the runway before hitting the ground with significant force. The plane then rolls forward, with its wings shearing off before skidding to a stop on its roof.

Authorities have yet to determine what caused the crash landing, but aviation experts are analyzing flight data, pilot communications, and maintenance records to identify any contributing factors.

Recent air safety concerns in North America

The Toronto crash is the latest in a string of aviation incidents in North America, raising renewed concerns about air safety.

Earlier this month, a U.S. Army helicopter and a passenger jet collided midair over Washington, resulting in the deaths of 67 people. In a separate incident, a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing all seven people on board.

While aviation remains one of the safest forms of travel, these recent accidents have prompted discussions about safety protocols and aircraft maintenance standards.

Delta’s response and passenger rights

Delta’s decision to offer $30,000 per passenger underscores the airline’s efforts to address the aftermath of the crash and reassure travelers. Legal experts note that passengers who accept the payment still retain the right to pursue further compensation if necessary.

Aviation law specialists point out that passengers on international flights may be entitled to compensation under the Montreal Convention, which governs airline liability in cases of injury or loss. However, individual claims would depend on factors such as negligence, pilot error, or mechanical failure.

As investigations continue, Delta has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting passengers and cooperating fully with authorities. The airline has not provided further details on the cause of the crash but stated it will implement any necessary safety recommendations resulting from the investigation.

For now, passengers and industry officials await the final report on the Toronto crash, hoping it will provide clarity on what went wrong and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.