Air France A350 Turns Back to Buenos Aires After Smoke Odor Reported Onboard
An Air France Airbus A350-900 bound for Paris returned to Buenos Aires shortly after takeoff on November 20, 2025, after passengers and crew reported a strange smell and smoke-like haze in the cabin. The precautionary diversion meant the long-haul flight never left Argentine airspace, but everyone landed safely and was rebooked onto alternative services while the aircraft remained grounded for inspection.
Smoke Odor Prompts Quick Decision to Return
Flight AF411 had departed Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport for an overnight run to Paris Charles de Gaulle. Around half an hour into the flight, reports of an unusual odor — followed by indications of smoke in the cabin — triggered concern among those onboard. The crew declared a “PAN PAN PAN,” the standard urgency call used for situations that require immediate attention but are not considered life-threatening.
With the aircraft still climbing and only about 17,000 feet above the ground, the pilots opted to return to Ezeiza out of caution. The A350 touched down safely back on Runway 11 roughly 35 minutes after departure.
What Happened on AF411
AF411 was scheduled to leave Buenos Aires at 10:40 p.m. local time for a flight time of about 12 hours and 30 minutes. The service pushed back late and became airborne at 11:16 p.m. The turnback was initiated shortly after, while the plane was still gaining altitude.
Passengers later described a “weird” smell followed by visible haze. Some accounts suggested the smoke appeared to be coming from overhead lighting, though that detail has not been confirmed. Air France said the crew noticed a heat-like smell in both cockpit and cabin, and confirmed that the return was a safety-driven decision.
After landing, the flight was canceled and the aircraft was removed from service pending maintenance checks.
Passengers Rebooked, Aircraft Held for Inspection
Once back on the ground, Air France teams assisted travelers and arranged alternative flights as quickly as possible. The airline operates two daily services between Buenos Aires and Paris — one with a Boeing 787-9 and the other with the Airbus A350-900 — giving it flexibility to accommodate disrupted passengers.
As of the latest reports, the A350 involved in the incident remains parked at Ezeiza while engineers assess the source of the odor and cabin haze.
Second Similar Air France Incident in Weeks
This was the second Air France flight in recent weeks to be disrupted by smoke or fume concerns. Earlier in November, another A350 operating from Paris to Seoul diverted to Munich after crew detected a burning odor in the cockpit. In that case, passengers continued their journey on a replacement aircraft after maintenance inspections were completed.
While the two events are not publicly linked, the close timing adds attention to how airlines respond to odor and smoke reports, especially on long-haul services.
The A350 at the Center of the Event
The aircraft involved, registered F-HTYT, has been in Air France service for just over three years. Delivered in late 2022, it is part of the carrier’s growing A350 fleet used on high-demand long-haul routes. The jet is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and features three cabins: business class, premium economy, and economy.
Air France continues to expand its A350 operations as the type gradually replaces older A330-200s and certain Boeing 777 variants across the network.
Bottom Line
Air France flight AF411 safely returned to Buenos Aires on November 20 after a smoke odor and haze were reported in the cabin. The crew acted quickly, declared an urgency call, and diverted back to the departure airport as a precaution. Passengers were rebooked, and the Airbus A350-900 remains grounded for inspection while engineers determine the cause.
