• by Tanya Gazdik , October 14, 2024

The catering facility that services Delta and American Airlines at Detroit Metropolitan Airport reportedly failed a federal food inspection over the weekend, causing the operation to be shut down.

“The caterer wasn't named, but Delta — DTW's largest airline — contracts with Do & Co” according to Audacy. “WWJ Newsradio 950's Jonathan Carlson reports that when he called the caterer over the over the weekend to ask about the issue, they denied there was one. This, as passengers were being sent notifications from the airline saying in-flight food and drink would be limited, but without explanation.”

Reportedly, more than 200 flights out of the airport had to substitute snacks for hot food over the weekend. 

“During a recent inspection at a DTW kitchen, Delta’s catering partner was notified of a food safety issue within the facility,” Delta said in a statement on Sunday, according to CNBC. “Delta and its catering partner immediately shut down hot food production and subsequently suspended all activity from the facility. Hot food and other onboard provisioning will be managed from other facilities.”

A message to a flight crew on Friday said first-class meals couldn’t be loaded because of “an unforeseen supply chain issue” and that the flight would be stocked with additional snacks.

“The carrier said no employee or customer illnesses were reported, and that it gave affected customers travel vouchers or frequent flyer miles as compensation,” according to CNBC.

Passengers flying on Monday received text messages on Sunday warning that the flight would have "modified food and beverage options due to a catering vendor service disruption."

On one Monday morning flight, a worker in a Do & Co uniform was seen delivering boxed breakfasts from Panera to at least one Detroit Delta flight, presumably for passengers in first class. Service to other passengers was affected including no ice available for drinks, no alcohol, and limited snack options. 

Food supply issues aren't new at DTW.

“On a July flight from Detroit to Amsterdam, Delta served passengers moldy chicken meals that sickened several customers, forcing the flight to make an emergency landing in New York,” according to CBS News.