On November 21, 2024, Delta Air Lines flight DL264, operated by a Boeing 767-400ER registered as N843MH, departed New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) en route to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to 12,000 feet, the flight crew detected fumes within the cabin. Prioritizing passenger safety, the pilots declared an emergency and initiated a return to JFK.
The aircraft performed an overweight landing approximately 40 minutes after departure, as it was still laden with fuel intended for the transatlantic journey. Despite the overweight condition, the landing was executed safely, and all 238 passengers and crew members disembarked without incident.
Following the event, aircraft N843MH was temporarily removed from service for a thorough inspection to identify the source of the fumes and to assess any potential impact from the overweight landing. After six days, the aircraft was cleared and returned to operational status, resuming flights on November 27 with a scheduled service to San Diego.
This incident is among a series of similar events for Delta Air Lines in recent weeks. Notably, on November 19, a Delta Airbus A321 reported fumes in the cockpit during its descent into Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Earlier, on November 6, a Delta Airbus A320 diverted to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) after crew members detected a foul odor on the flight deck.
Delta Air Lines has initiated comprehensive investigations into these occurrences, collaborating with aviation safety authorities to determine their causes and to implement measures aimed at preventing future incidents. The airline remains committed to upholding the highest safety standards to ensure the well-being of its passengers and crew.
