Over 200 United Airlines flight attendants get sick after eating in Denver

DENVER- The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA reports that over 200 United Airlines (UA) flight attendants and other employees became ill after eating holiday meals at Denver International Airport (DEN).

The union confirms a direct link between the food served and the resulting symptoms of food poisoning, as stated by JonNYCan aviation insider.

United Airlines flight attendant sick

United Airlines implemented ID scanning procedures during food distribution that enabled accurate tracking of affected personnel. The airline maintains records of all employees who received holiday meals during the holiday season.

The union instructs affected flight attendants to document their absences due to illness directly to superiors and absence management teams. The organization emphasizes that leave certificates should not apply to these specific incidents.

Flight attendants who face points penalties as a result of these absences should request that their points be removed immediately from their supervisor. The union has created special protocols for crew members who have called in sick at outstations.

The C9 Grievance & Discipline Committee provides support to flight attendants who have faced disciplinary action as a result of these absences. Affected personnel can access help via afaden.org or option 3 of the general helpline.

Chris Bruton, C9 local president for bases Denver and Phoenix, is overseeing the union’s response to this incident. The union continues to monitor the situation and advocate for the rights of affected flight attendants.

You can also report your union issues here: afanewsletters.org

Similar incidents

Delta food safety issue

In October 2024, Delta Air Lines (DL) suspended hot meal service on over 200 flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport due to food safety concerns at its local catering facility. The airline implemented immediate shutdown measures in the affected kitchen.

The suspension stemmed from a recent inspection that found safety issues at the Detroit-based catering operation. Delta shifted hot meal production to alternative catering facilities to maintain service standards.

The airline told flight crews on Friday of an “unforeseen supply chain issue” that impacted premium food service. Delta increased snack offerings on affected flights to maintain passenger satisfaction.

Delta confirms that no illnesses related to food safety concerns have been reported among passengers or employees. The airline is offering compensation through travel vouchers or frequent flyer miles to passengers affected by the service disruption.

Industry sources believe European catering company DO&CO operates the Detroit facility, but Delta has not officially confirmed that relationship.

Passenger falls ill on a Japan Airlines and United flight

Likewise, a mass illness incident occurred in November 2024, affecting 34 passengers on two flights that arrived at Tokyo’s Narita Airport from Guam on Thursday evening. Japan Airlines Flight 942 reported 16 sick passengers, while United Airlines Flight 873 documented 18 cases.

The affected group included high school students traveling from Guam to Japan. Passengers experienced symptoms of vomiting, with several cases occurring before departure from Guam.

Fourteen passengers had to be taken to hospital immediately upon arrival at Narita Airport. The remaining affected travelers were able to manage their symptoms without seeking medical treatment.

Japan Airlines dismissed on-board meals as the cause, pointing out that several passengers had experienced symptoms before boarding. This suggests a potentially common source of contamination in Guam.

Narita Airport’s operations office and Chiba Prefectural health authorities opened investigations into the incident. Officials are trying to identify the source of the disease and assess any potential public health impacts.

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