Former President Biden Experiences Flight Delays Just Like Regular Travelers

Former President Joe Biden was spotted flying commercial from Reagan National Airport to South Carolina, where he got stuck in the same weather delays as other passengers. The Delaware native, known for his love of public transportation, chatted with fellow travelers during the delayed flight.

WASHINGTON — Travelers at Reagan National Airport got an unexpected surprise Friday when former President Joe Biden found himself dealing with the same flight delays that frustrated hundreds of other passengers.

Foggy conditions over the Washington area created a one-hour ground stop at the airport, backing up flights departing from American Airlines’ Terminal D. Among those waiting was Biden, accompanied by his Secret Service protection team and local law enforcement officers.

The former president, who has kept a relatively low profile since stepping down from office, was traveling to Columbia, South Carolina, for an evening gathering with the state’s Democratic Party.

Fellow travelers looked on with curiosity, wondering why someone who once held the nation’s highest office would subject himself to the same travel inconveniences as ordinary citizens, despite being surrounded by his security detail.

The situation wasn’t entirely surprising for Biden, however. During his Senate years, he earned the nickname “Amtrak Joe” for his dedication to rail travel, consistently choosing the train for his commutes back to Delaware instead of relocating to Washington full-time. Even after his presidency, he’s continued using public transportation, taking photos and conversing with other passengers on trains.

Friday’s flight experience followed a similar pattern. Biden took his seat in the third row of the small first-class section aboard the regional aircraft, boarding early with his security team positioned throughout the plane.

“God bless you, sir,” one female passenger told him as she walked past his window seat, where he sat reading a newspaper.

Another traveler approached to shake his hand, saying, “Thank you for your service.”

The woman assigned to the aisle seat beside the former president initially placed her coffee on their shared armrest and stowed her luggage overhead before realizing who her seatmate was.

Biden helped steady her coffee cup and greeted her as she settled in.

“I feel like I’m about to cry,” she told him as they introduced themselves and continued talking throughout the hour-long journey.

While federal law provides lifetime Secret Service protection for former presidents and their spouses, it doesn’t guarantee access to the premium private transportation options that were standard during their time in office.