Travelers scheduled for Delta Connection flight 5059 from Gainesville to Atlanta last Sunday had a surprise waiting for them. They were being bumped in order to transport the Florida Gators, who were headed to Storrs, Conn., for Monday night's game against Connecticut.
The aircraft originally scheduled to fly the Gators was grounded for required maintenance, so Delta grabbed another airplane for the ride. That happened to be the aircraft associated with flight 5059.
The passengers who were supposed to be on the 5059 flight were originally told there was a mechanical issue, but then they noticed the Gator team boarding the plane.
People had to rearrange their schedules and some had to be driven to airports in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa to catch other flights, according to the Gainesvile Sun,
One passenger reportedly missed a funeral.
Delta has issued an apology.
For the record, Connecticut beat Florida, 65-64.