Key Points:

  • A Southwest Airlines flight, en route from Las Vegas to Tulsa, made an unplanned return to Harry Reid International Airport due to reports of a peculiar smell.

  • Southwest Airlines confirmed the situation, emphasizing no abnormalities were detected post-inspection and there were no injuries.

  • Renowned radio talk show host Eddie Trunk, a passenger, shared his experience on social media platform X, praising Southwest for its handling of the situation.

Southwest Airlines flight diverts back to Vegas

TULSA — A flight belonging to Southwest Airlines was compelled to make an unscheduled landing on Thursday evening. This decision came after crew members detected an atypical scent in the cabin, possibly mistaken for smoke, as disclosed by an FAA representative.

Flight's Quick Response and Southwest's Clarification

While cruising from Las Vegas towards Tulsa, Oklahoma, the pilot opted to revert the course, safely touching down at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas around 8:30 p.m. local time, as reported by the FAA. Addressing the incident, Southwest Airlines conveyed to FOX Business, "Post inspection, we discerned no anomalies. The aircraft was replaced and it resumed its journey to the intended destination." On inquiring about the exact observations of the crew, a representative from Southwest elaborated, "To the best of my knowledge, it wasn’t smoke but a distinct odor. In such circumstances, it's standard procedure for emergency vehicles to assemble at the aircraft."

Passenger Insight and FAA's Investigation

The incident, while causing no harm or injuries, is currently under scrutiny by the FAA to ascertain the root cause. Eddie Trunk, a distinguished radio talk show presenter and a recognized figure in the hard-rock and heavy metal domain, happened to be on board. He shared his personal experience and a brief video showcasing the immediate aftermath on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). His post read, "This was a first for me, despite being a frequent flyer. A mere half-hour into our flight from Vegas to Tulsa, we made an abrupt U-turn due to a burning scent in the cabin. The swift deboarding was accompanied by the presence of fire trucks. An intense experience, but kudos to Southwest for their efficient management."

Acknowledging Trunk's tweet, Southwest Airlines responded on Saturday at 7:19 p.m. EST, expressing, "Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Eddie. Assuring the safety and well-being of our customers and staff is paramount. We're grateful for your patience and trust."