Passenger Thanks Salina for Warm Hospitality After JetBlue Flight 1189 Emergency Landing

Passenger Thanks Salina for Warm Hospitality After JetBlue Flight 1189 Emergency Landing
Courtesy Salina Regional Airport

By David Kauffman

Flying into one of America’s “great flyovers,” I found myself in the Great City of Salina, Kansas—an unexpected but heartwarming experience.

While flying from New York to visit my 91-year-old father in San Diego, crossing time zones at 500 miles per hour and 35,000 feet, there was an unusual calm as the crew quietly began locking down the cabin. Amid our digital distractions and in-flight comforts, a subtle change in direction caught our attention. Without warning, we were descending—hours too early—before the captain’s voice came over the intercom, calmly announcing what I remember as:

“As you may have noticed, we are descending rapidly. We are responding to what we hope is an inaccurate smoke alarm from the luggage area. We are diverting to Salina, Kansas. Please follow all crew instructions. Cabin crew, prepare for landing.”

The calm, professional demeanor of the flight attendants reassured us, and soon we were all preparing for a rapid descent. As I texted my family, trying to remain calm, I took in the beautiful view outside—lush green farmland, like a scene out of The Wizard of Oz. The sudden appearance of emergency vehicles racing toward the runway was unsettling, but the landing itself was smooth and steady.

In less than 12 minutes, we had dropped 20,000 feet. White, cold steam filled the cabin—not ideal, but thankfully odorless. As we touched down safely, we were surrounded by emergency responders, swiftly guiding us off the plane and into a small, private terminal.

What struck me most was the hospitality that awaited us in Salina. A small army of airport staff, firefighters, police officers, and EMS workers greeted us warmly, ensuring our safety and comfort. In the terminal, a kindly woman, reminiscent of my own mother hosting a dinner party, welcomed us with a smile, despite being outnumbered. School buses transported us to the main terminal, where a vivacious woman named Stephanie Flannigan and her team worked tirelessly to accommodate 146 stranded passengers.

Snacks, water, and even pizza magically appeared as the hours passed. Children ran around, keeping us entertained, while airline staff took inventory of our belongings left on the plane. Though it had been a long and unexpected detour, the generosity and kindness of the people of Salina turned what could have been a disaster into a memorable experience.

Our pilot later informed us that our original plane needed to return to a hub without passengers due to the suppression systems that had been activated. A rescue flight would soon take us to our destination.

One local mentioned that Salina is sometimes referred to as a “fly-over city,” but after the hospitality we experienced, I would argue that it’s a city worth stopping in. The people of Salina went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. On behalf of myself, my family, and my fellow passengers, I offer my deepest gratitude to this fine city for providing us with safe passage and extraordinary hospitality.

As we boarded our rescue flight, I could hear my grandmother’s voice reminding me, “Be sure to send a thank you note.” I hope to return to Salina one day—this time by choice rather than by chance—to express my thanks in person.

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