Delta Air Linesflight bound for Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
from Los Angeles was forced to return on Saturday night after smoke was detected in the galley, according to CNN. Flight DL43, which had departed from Los Angeles International Airport
at approximately 21:00 local time, was just 30 minutes into its journey when the decision was made to turn back.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Gally smoke detected
FlightAware data show that the aircraft left Gate 34A at Los Angeles International Airport at 20:42. The Airbus A350-900
, which was carrying 162 people, had risen close to 10,000 feet in the sky when smoke was seen in the galley. Following the observation of the smoke, the crew decided that the plane should return to Los Angeles Airport. The aircraft made a safe landing at 21:33, roughly 30 minutes after takeoff, according to flight data from FlightAware.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
In a statement to Simple Flying, a Delta spokesperson said:
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people. That’s why the flight crew followed established procedures to return to Los Angeles (LAX) after smoke was detected in the galley. We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels.”
CNN reported that even though there was no smoke visible in the cockpit when the plane was back on the ground, the flight crew requested medical attention for passengers who may have been affected by smoke, according to live audio from LiveATC.net. There have been no reports of serious injuries or complications related to the smoke exposure. Passengers aboard Flight DL43 were promptly reaccommodated on other flights departing later that evening, according to Delta.
Related
Delta Flight DL2761 Was Diverted Due To Smoke Odor: Have Experienced A Flight Diversion?
On February 12, 2025, Delta Air Lines flight DL2761, operated by a Boeing 717, was en route from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) when a smoke odor was detected in the cabin. As a precaution, the flight was diverted to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, where it landed safely. All passengers and crew disembarked without incident.
Diversions due to in-flight anomalies, such as unusual odors, are precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety. While these events can be unsettling, they are relatively rare and handled with utmost care by flight crews.
Have you ever experienced a flight diversion? How was the situation managed, and how did it affect your travel plans? Share your experiences below.
FAA launches investigation
The Airbus A350-900 with registration N514DN was only five years old, according to the data on planespotters.net. The relatively new aircraft features 32 business class seats, 48 premium economy seats, and 226 economy class seats. The aircraft is scheduled to leave Los Angeles for Atlanta on Sunday, Flightradar24 data shows.
The Federal Aviation Administration
is investigating the incident. The FAA said in a statement:
“Delta Air Lines Flight 43 returned safely to Los Angeles International Airport around 9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, Feb. 22, after the crew reported smoke and fumes in the flight deck. The Airbus A350 was traveling to Sydney Airport in Australia. The FAA will investigate. Please contact the airline for additional information.“
Photo: Phuong D. Nguyen | Shutterstock
Similar incidents
A few days ago, smoke from an American Eagle aircraft led to the evacuation of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, according to The Charlotte Observer. The plane, originally bound for Columbia, South Carolina, was backing out of a gate onto the taxiway when the flight crew requested assistance after receiving reports of smoke onboard. According to a statement from American Airlines, the aircraft returned to the gate, where over fifty passengers were safely evacuated. A maintenance crew was then called to inspect the plane for any issues.
Related
6-Hour Flight To Nowhere: How The Delta Crash In Toronto Affected Transatlantic Traffic
Multiple flights had to turn around and head home while flying to Canada from Europe.
This follows a string of recent airplane incidents involving US carriers. Last week, after taking off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
, an Endeavor Air-operated Delta aircraft crashed and came to rest upside down at Toronto Pearson International Airport
. Over 20 individuals were hurt in the collision, including three badly injured. At least two passengers have filed lawsuits against Delta.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian said on Wednesday that the pilots of Delta Air Lines Flight 4819
were experienced and used to operating in winter circumstances. In an interview with CBS Mornings, Bastian stated, “There is one level of safety at Delta.” “All these pilots train for these conditions.”
Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying
Earlier this month, 10 people were killed when a commuter jet crashed off the coast of Alaska.
On January 29, a military Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines-affiliated commercial aircraft from Kansas, killing 67 people near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
. Since the recent American Airlines tragedy, Americans’ trust in air travel and the government agencies responsible for ensuring aviation safety has dropped by seven percentage points, according to a recent study conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Nonetheless, most people still believe that flying is generally safe.
