A Passenger Brought Food so Stinky, a Delta Flight Had to Turn Around Mid-Air
Every frequent flyer knows there’s likely to be that one passenger who tests the limits of in-flight etiquette. Maybe it’s loud phone calls before takeoff or oversized carry-ons in the wrong bin. On a recent Delta Air Lines flight, the issue came down to a smell. It was so bad that it forced an unexpected return.
The drama unfolded on October 18 when Delta Flight 2311 took off from Los Angeles, bound for Salt Lake City. About halfway into the two-hour route, crew members and passengers noticed a foul odor creeping through the cabin. The smell lingered despite quick efforts to clear it, which forced the pilots to turn the plane around and return to Los Angeles International Airport.
The Mystery of the Mid-Air Stench
Image via Wikimedia Commons/4300streetcar
Delta traced the odor to spoiled food that a passenger brought onboard, unrelated to the aircraft or the airline’s catering. The smell spread quickly through the cabin and was unpleasant enough to raise safety concerns, which is an uncommon reason for a diversion but one the airline handled with caution.
The Airbus A321neo was carrying 189 passengers along with two pilots and four flight attendants. Once the crew detected the smell, they followed standard safety procedures and returned to Los Angeles. “As nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, our crew followed standard procedures to safely return,” Delta said in a statement, adding an apology to customers for the delay.
Once on the ground, the passengers deplaned without incident and boarded a new aircraft to complete their trip to Utah. Delta confirmed everyone remained safe and healthy, and the original aircraft was inspected before being cleared for future service. Although officials didn’t specify the exact food item, they confirmed spoilage caused the odor that filled the cabin.
Odor-related diversions happen occasionally, as airlines treat any strange smell seriously since it can signal mechanical or chemical issues. In 2024, Delta diverted a transatlantic flight to New York after a spoiled in-flight meal caused several passengers and crew to feel sick. That flight also landed safely and reminded the industry how easily contamination can affect a plane’s closed environment.
Another Case of “You Can’t Make This Up”
Smelly food may be tolerable on the ground, but inside a sealed cabin, it’s a different experience. Air circulation systems spread odors fast, and what’s manageable for one traveler can overwhelm hundreds. Many passengers likely felt frustrated by the delay, yet few would choose to endure hours surrounded by the smell of spoiled food.
Delta’s response reflected how cautious airlines have become when faced with anything unusual inside the cabin. Within hours, passengers were rebooked, the aircraft inspected, and the airline released a statement addressing public curiosity.