Passengers Endure Hours on Blue Bird Flight from Rhodes to Israel Without Air Conditioning

Passengers on a Blue Bird flight from Rhodes to Israel experienced a distressing delay on June 28, 2026, when they were held on the plane for hours without ventilation or air conditioning. According to Hadar Weisman, a passenger on the flight, the delay was caused by unusual air traffic congestion over Greece and the need to obtain takeoff clearance.

Weisman described the ordeal during an interview, explaining that after waiting two hours on the ground, passengers boarded the plane but were not allowed to turn on the air conditioning. The flight only took off after an additional hour. During the wait, her sister-in-law suffered an asthma attack and struggled to breathe, and another passenger nearly fainted due to the heat and lack of air circulation. Although the crew eventually provided water, they did not explain the reason for the delay, only citing security concerns. Passengers insisted on turning on the air conditioning, which was only activated after everyone was visibly suffering from the heat.

The flight crew was foreign, not Israeli, though Blue Bird is an Israeli-owned company frequently used by Israeli travelers. The incident highlights concerns about passenger safety and communication during extended delays on flights.