An Aer Lingus flight from New York to Dublin on Wednesday night was forced to turn back after encountering "technical issues" over the Atlantic.
A number of passengers on the EI104 flight from JFK Airport in New York to Dublin Airport described the moment they were told the plane would be turning around.
One said the plane took off from JFK as normal but "got turned around to go back to NY because a feckin bird hit the windscreen." Aer Lingus have not confirmed a bird strike and instead said the turnaround was due to "technical issues."
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The passenger, who was heading back to Ireland to attend the Galway Film Fleadh added: "None the less we’re in a hotel and on a flight tomorrow, crew and staff were great! Galway we’re comin’."
However, another passenger described it as "the worst airplane experience in life" complaining that he had been on the phone for six hours trying to change his flight but could "reach no one."
Another disgruntled passenger said: "We were told that representatives would contact us but we haven't heard a thing from them. There are people saying that we are expected to pay for everything and be reimbursed. We can't afford."
One man said he had "spent almost two hours on hold trying to rebook flights" while another risked missing a wedding in Naples.
"I got a wedding July 7th in Naples, my flight took off from JFK, and suddenly returned to JFK. My personal bag was also damaged. I have yet to receive any sort or email leading me to believe I am being rebooked and after being on hold for two hours, was hung up on," the man wrote on Twitter.
One man posted directly to Aer Lingus about his experience and said he was "crying" over the ordeal.
"Stranded here in NYC JFK trying to get to airport after your plane had technical issues mid flight and we had to turn around mid flight. Cannot get through at all. Please help very panicked this is not ok. No staff here to direct what’s going on I’m crying," he posted.
Aer Lingus responded to the man and apologised for "the disruption caused" but fours hours after first contacting them, he explained that he had still not been sorted with a new flight.
"There has now been a technical issue with my reference number saying it has flown so I have to still wait two hours for them to fix it again. This is not ok. I’m extremely upset and worried," he added.
On Thursday afternoon, another passenger posted about being in the same situation and appealing to the airline for answers.
They said: "My flight last night from JFK to Dublin had to turn around and was cancelled, we're stuck now in JFK with none of your staff here to answer questions, no one answering the phone, any info on what's happening would be great."
In response to the Irish Mirror, Aer Lingus confirmed that the flight on Wednesday had to turn around and return to JFK.
A spokesperson said: "Aer Lingus flight EI104 operating from JFK to Dublin last night, Wednesday, 6 July, was required to turn back shortly after take-off due to a technical issue and was later cancelled.
"The aircraft landed safely at JFK and all passengers and crew safely disembarked. Overnight accommodation was provided as required and passengers impacted are being rebooked on the next available flights. We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused," they concluded.
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