The Boston Red Sox (an American professional baseball team based in Boston) were stranded at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for more than five hours Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, after their Delta Air Lines charter jet experienced a mechanical breakdown. This is the third incident in roughly six weeks, forcing the team to depart for Boston well into the early hours of the next morning.
A Pattern of Breakdowns
Flight tracking data showed that while the team was set to leave Los Angeles at 8:35 p.m. on Flight DL8879, the aircraft operating the charter did not take to the skies until 2:06 a.m. The Red Sox were able to take off, albeit five hours and 31 minutes after their original departure time.
The latest incident came after the Red Sox, who are 28-5 in their last 33 games, swept the reigning two-time World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers on the road, capped by an 8-4 victory Sunday evening.
Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran took to social media to highlight the situation, saying on Instagram that:
“the third time’s the charm for our plane to break down again, thanks, Delta.”
The jet, a VIP-configured Boeing 757-200, was delayed as a result of malfunction. The latest issue highlights the vulnerabilities of Delta’s ageing Boeing 757 charter fleet.
The first incident occurred on June 24, when the Red Sox were 32-46 and sitting last in the American League East after dropping two of three games to the Colorado Rockies. They took off for Boston to play the New York Yankees for a four-game set but returned to Denver 34 minutes after takeoff due to issues with the plane’s hydraulics and landing gear.
Coincidentally, Boston’s recent hot streak occurred after its first plane issue this season. According to flight tracking data, the team flew out from Boston to Sacramento on July 26 before winning three out of four games against the Athletics between July 27-30. They then continued down the West Coast to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers, winning all three games from July 31 to Aug. 2.
Delta Responds and Fan Reaction
A Delta spokesperson stated:
“At Delta, nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and crew. Delta teams are working directly with the team to remediate the recent delays.”
Delta Air Lines did not provide specific details regarding the nature of the mechanical issues that caused the three separate delays, nor did it clarify whether the same aircraft was involved in all three incidents.
The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with fans of the Red Sox reacting with a mix of humour and bewilderment.
Some fans found humour in the situation, one writing:
“They’re only making this team stronger, don’t they know this?”
Some fans even believe the recurring travel disruptions have been a good omen for the Red Sox, pointing to the team’s remarkable turnaround since the first breakdown in late June.
Broader Context
The incidents come as Major League Baseball teams continue to rely heavily on charter flights for intercity travel throughout the gruelling 162-game regular season. Aircraft reliability, crew scheduling, and fleet age have become increasingly scrutinised as teams demand higher service standards from their charter airline partners.
The latest issue highlights the vulnerabilities of Delta’s ageing Boeing 757 charter fleet, raising questions about whether the airline needs to modernise its charter aircraft to meet the demanding schedules of professional sports teams.
Delta Air Lines is one of the primary providers of charter services to Major League Baseball teams and other professional sports organisations across the United States.
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