On Sunday, a Delta Air Lines aircraft flying from Barcelona, Spain to Boston, Massachusetts in the United States was forced to make an emergency landing in Porto, Portugal due to smoke in the cabin and reported mechanical failure. The incident resulted in several passengers needing medical treatment, with some individuals being sent to local hospitals for inhaling smoke.
Upon landing at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto, Portugal, some passengers received on-site treatment on the tarmac, with several individuals being sent to local hospitals for smoke inhalation-related injuries, all of which were minor. Different media outlets reported slightly different numbers, with some sources stating that 14 people received on-site treatment and 4 were sent to hospitals, while Reuters cited authorities mentioning that 8 people were treated on the tarmac and 3 were sent to hospitals.
A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines confirmed that flight DL251 was diverted to Porto due to “reported mechanical issues” and landed safely. The flight was operated by an Airbus A330-300 aircraft, carrying 283 passengers and 13 crew members. Approximately two hours after takeoff from Barcelona, the aircraft experienced trouble over the Atlantic Ocean and subsequently diverted to Portugal.
The airline expressed apologies for the travel delay and made arrangements for passengers to be accommodated on alternate flights to reach their final destination.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States noted that in very rare circumstances, mechanical issues such as engine oil seals or recirculation fan shaft bearings could lead to smoke entering the cabin. Commercial aircraft must ensure that the ventilation systems continuously provide fresh air. Following such incidents, airlines are required to report to the FAA and can only resume operations with the aircraft after the issue has been addressed.
Translated from an article on Daily News, September 30, 2026.