Passengers on a Delta flight bound for Orlando experienced an emergency situation shortly after takeoff from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday morning. The plane, carrying about 200 passengers and six crew members, had to make an emergency landing due to a smoke condition in the cockpit.
The flight, numbered 2204, departed from Atlanta just before 7:30 a.m. After the smoke was detected, the crew declared an emergency and returned to the airport. The aircraft landed on a taxiway where evacuation slides were deployed, allowing passengers and crew to exit safely. They were then transported to the terminal by bus.
In a statement, a Delta spokesperson emphasized that the flight crew followed safety procedures after detecting fumes in the cockpit. The airline prioritized safety and offered apologies to the affected customers. They are rebooking passengers on another flight to Orlando.
Delta reported that the aircraft is currently undergoing a maintenance inspection to address the issue.