In a tense situation at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, a Delta flight was swiftly evacuated after a crew member raised alarm over a bomb threat. This incident unfolded just hours following a similar scare in Washington, D.C.

The flight, destined for Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport on Tuesday evening, was cleared out due to what the airline described as a “safety concern.”

Among the passengers was Fox News anchor Jason Matheson, who shared his experience from the flight. “We were just evacuated from our plane, but we aren’t sure why,” he explained.

Describing the sequence of events on Instagram, Matheson said, “We boarded the plane, it moved a short distance down the runway, then paused for about 40 minutes before we were informed of a security issue.”

He added, “It’s a bit frightening, and there’s some unease among the passengers… we’re in the dark about what exactly is happening.”

Matheson added that officials ‘boarded the plane from the back’ and it ‘looked like they were talking to somebody’. He did not know whether any arrests were made.  

Several hours later, Matheson posted a video from inside LaGuardia Airport saying that ‘there hasn’t been one Delta official to tell us what’s happening’. 

‘People are getting a little impatient,’ he said. ‘We’re just standing here wondering what the f – what are we doing?’ he added as passengers milled around. 

Hundreds of passengers have been rushed off a Delta flight at LaGuardia Airport (pictured) in New York after a crew member reported a bomb threat on board

‘We were just evacuated from our plane, we don’t know why,’ said Fox News anchor Jason Matheson, who happened to be on board. ‘We got boarded, the plane went a little ways down the runway, stopped for about 40 minutes, then we were told there was a security issue.’

The plane bound from LaGuardia Airport to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International on Tuesday evening was promptly evacuated, travelers said. (Pictured: A Delta plane) 

‘We had to go back through security for whatever reason… we’re just happy that we’re off the plane and safe, that’s what matters’. 

He posted a photograph 12 hours later to clarify what had happened after passengers were finally updated on the security issue. 

Matheson said the flight was ‘evacuated because of a bomb threat’.  

‘Thanks to the agents at LaGuardia – who aren’t getting paid right now – for keeping us safe and taking great care of us,’ he said, while blasting Delta’s lack of response.

Delta confirmed to the Daily Mail that the flight was deplaned due to a ‘security concern’ but did not clarify what this was.  

‘Prior to departure from New York LaGuardia (LGA), customers on Delta flight 2313 to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) were deplaned and transported back to the terminal due to a potential security concern,’ the airline said. 

‘The safety and security of our customers and employees comes before all else and we apologize for the delay in their travels.’ 

It came on the same day that all flights in and out of a Washington DC were halted due to a bomb threat on another plane. 

Flight radar around DCA showed several planes circling the airport during the ground stop, while others were diverted elsewhere 

A security emergency was issued at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Tuesday at 11.30am ET. 

The ground stop was lifted after 1pm ET and replaced with a ground delay, causing average waits of 51 minutes and delays of up to 151 minutes for some flights.

The bomb threat was made known after travelers stranded on the runway heard there was an incident on a United flight that landed from Houston, which was quickly surrounded by emergency vehicles.

Ben Radnor posted online: ‘On a Delta flight waiting to take off to JFK. Apparently a bomb threat on a United flight that landed from Houston not long ago. Nothing is allowed to move.’ 

The delays at DCA are now impacting the rest of the country, as grounded and late-arriving flights are creating congestion at other airports.

Passengers can expect knock-on delays nationwide, including at connecting hubs and in parts of Canada.