Delta Flight from Atlanta Makes Emergency Turnaround: Passengers Evacuated Amid Mysterious Cabin Haze

CNN —

A Delta Air Lines flight headed for Columbia, South Carolina, had to turn back to Atlanta on Monday morning due to a strange “haze” detected inside the cabin. This prompted an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The Boeing 717, carrying 94 passengers and a crew of five, officially returned to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport around 9 a.m. The flight crew noticed possible smoke in the cockpit and followed safety procedures to turn back.

Delta informed CNN that during the emergency situation, they deployed evacuation slides for the passengers. “The flight crew observed a haze and followed protocols to ensure everyone’s safety,” a Delta spokesperson stated. The airline is currently looking into what caused the unusual condition inside the aircraft.

Passengers shared their experiences. Johnny, one of the travelers, mentioned, “When the plane took off, it filled with haze, and it was hard to breathe at times.” Another passenger, Kristin Morris, said the haze became noticeable about five to ten minutes after takeoff. Passengers grew uneasy, with some shouting “smoke, smoke, smoke,” and it felt like a long wait until they landed after about 20 minutes in the air.

Once on the ground, everyone was evacuated and taken to a conference room while Delta investigated the cause of the haze. Morris noted that they were eventually released without provided answers about the incident.

Atlanta Fire Rescue helped with the evacuation of passengers and crew. Videos from the scene captured the evacuation process, showing the urgency of the situation.

Delta assured that their teams would assist affected customers with rebooking their flights, although the incident caused moderate disruptions at the airport.

This incident highlights the importance of safety on flights and how quickly things can change in the air. The investigation continues to uncover the cause of the haze.