‘Odour’ forces plane to land mid-flight with five people taken to hospital

‘Odour’ forces plane to land mid-flight with five people taken to hospital Josh Milton Published November 24, 2025 9:32pm Updated November 24, 2025 9:32pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments American Airlines said the four crew members and one passenger were taken to hospital as a ‘precaution’ Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)

An American Airlines flight had to be diverted and five passengers taken to hospital after an ‘odour’ was smelled on board.

AA Flight 2118 left Orlando International Airport for Phoenix Sky Harbor at 5.40pm local time on Sunday

Crew reported an ‘odour’ in the flight deck and cabin, the airline told Metro.

Audio captured from air traffic control communication captured the moment staff called for emergency responders in Houston.

The airline told Metro that an ‘odour’ was reported (Picture: Bryan Smith/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)

The pilot said: ‘I’m gonna have some transports here out of the airport on this. I’m gonna need probably 4 transport units.’

The plane landed at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport just before 7.10pm local time, according to aviation tracking data.

Four flight attendants and one passenger was taken to the hospital ‘out of an abundance of caution’, AA said.

The Federal Aviation Administration later confirmed to Metro that ‘fumes’ were detected in the aircraft.

The aviation official did not say where the fumes originated from, nor did they say how the crew members and passenger were injured.

The Houston Fire Department has been contacted for comment.

Emergency crews met the aircraft at the gate when it arrived, while the remaining passengers were flown back out to Phoenix shortly after.

AA added: ‘On November 23, American Airlines flight 2118 landed safely and taxied to the gate under its own power at Houston (IAH) following reports of an odour on board.

‘The flight re-departed on a replacement aircraft. We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologise to our customers for their experience.’

The FAA confirmed an investigation is ongoing.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

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