Delta Air Lines is offering $30,000 to every passenger aboard Flight 4819 following the incident at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The compensation, if accepted by all 76 affected travelers, could total roughly $2.3 million.
The incident occurred on February 17 when the CRJ900 twin-jet, operated by Delta’s subsidiary Endeavor Air on a flight from Minneapolis, experienced a hard landing at around 2:15 p.m. ET.
The aircraft flipped over, caught fire, and its rear landing gear buckled while the right wing was seen detaching amid a blaze. Authorities reported that strong winds were prevalent in Toronto on that day.
According to Delta, while 80 individuals were on board—including four crew members—all survived the accident. Although 21 passengers were briefly hospitalized, they have since been released.
A Delta spokesperson emphasized that representatives from the Delta Care Team informed customers that the $30,000 payment is a goodwill gesture with no conditions attached, and it will not affect any rights the passengers may have.
Legal experts, including Thomas A. Demetrio of Corboy & Demetrio and Erin Applebaum of Kreindler, an aviation accident law firm, noted that receiving an initial payment shortly after the incident is standard practice.
Demetrio remarked that there is little reason for passengers to delay acceptance of the offer.
However, both legal professionals acknowledged that the compensation might not deter passengers from pursuing further legal claims, especially for costs related to medical treatment, lost income, or psychological trauma.
Under the provisions of the Montreal Convention, injured passengers on international flights are eligible for compensation up to $200,000 if they can prove that an accident occurred, irrespective of the airline’s negligence.
Should a passenger’s damages exceed this amount, or if the airline is found to have been negligent, compensation could surpass the $200,000 cap. The treaty also allows a two-year window for filing any legal action, although most cases are expected to be resolved within 12 to 18 months outside of court.