According to official sources, a Delta Air Lines flight bound for Columbia, South Carolina, in the United States was forced to return to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday morning due to "haze" in the cabin. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences.
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02-25, 2025The FAA stated that shortly after takeoff, the crew reported possible smoke in the cockpit, and the aircraft returned to the airport around 9 a.m. The Boeing 717 aircraft was carrying 94 passengers, 3 flight attendants, and 2 pilots, all of whom were safely evacuated after the emergency landing.
Delta Air Lines told CNN that the aircraft deployed slides on the runway during the evacuation process. "The crew followed procedure in returning to Atlanta after observing haze in the cabin after takeoff," a Delta spokesperson told CNN in a statement. "Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, and we apologize for the experience."
The airline stated that it is investigating the cause of the haze. A passenger named Johnny, who asked to be identified by his first name only, told CNN: "After the plane took off, the cabin started to fill with haze, and it was sometimes difficult to breathe." According to the airline, they declared an emergency to receive priority handling from air traffic control, ensuring a swift return to the airport.
Another passenger, Kristin Morris, told CNN that the haze began to fill the cabin five to ten minutes after takeoff. "Some of us passengers started questioning what was happening. People started screaming 'Smoke, smoke, smoke'," Morris said. "We were in the air for about 20 minutes, and it seemed like a long time before we landed." Morris also stated that after everyone evacuated from the plane, they were placed in a conference room where Delta Air Lines attempted to determine the cause of the haze, but passengers were eventually released without answers.
A spokesperson for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said in a statement to CNN that after the plane returned to the airport, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department assisted passengers and crew in disembarking. Delta Air Lines stated that its team will help customers rebook flights to their final destinations. Airport officials stated that the incident caused a moderate impact on airport operations, with delays and adjustments to flight schedules.
