Passengers Hospitalized After Mystery Fumes Fill Plane During Flight

A Delta Air Lines flight headed from Maui to Seattle was forced to divert to Honolulu after mysterious fumes were reported inside the cabin, sending several people to the hospital.

Delta Flight 394 departed Kahului Airport on Maui Saturday night with 189 passengers aboard and was climbing toward its cruising altitude when crew members reported fumes shortly after takeoff. Rather than continue the long overwater trip to Seattle, the pilots turned toward Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.

The Airbus A321neo landed safely, but the situation was not over.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded around 11 p.m. after passengers complained of headaches and nausea that officials said were associated with inhaling the fumes. Three women, ages 27, 31 and 42, were treated and taken to an emergency room in stable condition. A fourth patient was also transported by the Federal Fire Department.

Delta separately confirmed that one flight attendant sought medical attention.

According to aviation incident reporting, the fumes were significant enough that the pilots used oxygen while the aircraft remained at about 5,000 feet and went through smoke-and-fume procedures before diverting. The crew later reported that the smell had weakened but was still noticeable after landing.

Passengers eventually got off the aircraft using air stairs and were transported away by bus.

Then came another concerning development.

Crews on the ground observed fuel discharging from the aircraft after it landed, according to Delta. The airline has not said whether that was connected to the fumes or represented a separate mechanical issue.

Delta said technicians would inspect the plane and that the airline was reviewing the incident with aviation authorities.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people,” a Delta spokesperson said, adding that the crew followed procedures by diverting once the fumes were detected.

No cause for the fumes has been publicly identified.

The flight had been operating an Airbus A321neo, and flight-tracking records show the aircraft involved was taken out of the trip while passengers were moved to another plane.

Those travelers eventually continued toward Seattle on a replacement aircraft, but not without a major delay. Aviation tracking showed the replacement flight reaching Seattle roughly 11 and a half hours behind schedule.

Delta also said passengers would receive refunds and that the airline was contacting customers directly to apologize.