Passengers on board a flight from Istanbul were sickened by the food shortly before landing Kennedy Airport today.
A medical team met the Delta flight at the gate, where several passengers were vomiting and nauseous.
Some people on the plane blamed the baked chicken, but officials did not confirm that food poisoning was the problem.
“Delta employees are working closely with these customers to ensure they are well cared for,” the airline said in a statement. “Delta will look into what may have caused these reports.”
Before the flight landed around 4:30 p.m., the pilot announced that passengers in the last few rows had to stay on the plane while the rest were allowed to leave and go through customs.
“People were complaining they were feeling ill and they were blaming the food,” said Cagri Haksoz, a university professor from Istanbul. “They were saying the chicken was the problem. I ate the chicken. It was fine.”
The affected passengers were held for about 25 minutes before they were allowed to go through customs, officials said.