A couple who saved a United flight after spotting fuel leaking from one of its wings claim they were left ‘stranded’ by the airline.
Mike and Rachel Brumfield were on United flight 170 from New Jersey to Venice, Italy for their honeymoon, when they spotted the fuel pouring out of the wing and alerted airline staff on Tuesday night.
They were subsequently taken off the plane with the rest of the passengers and praised for raising the alarm.
But hours later, Mike shared a picture of his new bride curled up on the floor of the airport with the caption: ‘My beautiful bride on our honeymoon. Thank you, United Airlines.’
He then added: ‘We saved your united flight 170 from possibly crashing into the Atlantic, you praised us saying you’d take GOOOOD care of us, then canceled the flight and disappeared.
‘We landed 11 hours ago. We’re stranded. Every hotel booked. And they have no idea where our luggage is and don’t seem to care.
‘We’re supposed to be in Venice right now, starting a romantic day. But, luckily, several united airlines employees have been super rude to us, so at least there’s that!!’
United Airlines couple spot fuel leak from plane
According to the couple, they desperately searched for another flight that would get them to their honeymoon cruise on Wednesday night and eventually found a Delta one last minute.
But they claim United only gave them a food voucher and no hotel, the New York Post reported.
Instead, they allegedly slept on the floor of the airport until 7.30am at which point another passenger gave them the hotel voucher he had been given.
Couple ‘left to sleep on floor by United Airlines’ after spotting fuel leak
A different passenger then hired a limousine to take them to JFK flight so they could get their new flight.
Their original flight was due to depart for Venice at 6.55pm on Tuesday night from Newark Liberty International Airport when the leak occurred.
Witnesses say the fuel came from the edge of the plane’s left wing and a video of the leak shows several passengers asking: ‘What could that be?That is not normal.’
United airlines reportedly just gave a general statement about the flight’s cancellation when approached for comment about the couple’s allegations.
Metro.co.uk has contacted United Airlines for further comment.