Porto, Portugal: A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300 operating flight DL251 from Barcelona, Spain, to Boston, US, made an emergency landing at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto, Portugal on 27 September 2026, after smoke was detected inside the cabin.
The aircraft, registered N824NW, was carrying 296 people when the crew diverted the transatlantic flight to Porto. Delta said the aircraft was diverted because of a “reported mechanical issue” and “landed safely.” Portuguese authorities said the emergency was triggered by smoke detected in the cabin.
The aircraft turned toward Portugal while over the Atlantic and landed safely in Porto, where emergency services were waiting. More than 60 firefighters and medical personnel were deployed at the airport. Portuguese authorities reported that there was no fire onboard.
Fourteen people received medical assistance after the landing, with four taken to Hospital de São João in Porto. The affected passengers were reported to have suffered light effects linked to smoke inhalation, and no serious injuries were reported.
Earlier reporting said eight passengers were treated on the tarmac and three were taken to hospital. Later information from Portuguese authorities increased those figures to 14 people assisted and four hospitalized.
The exact source of the smoke has not yet been established. Delta described the incident as a reported mechanical issue, while Portuguese emergency authorities identified smoke in the cabin as the reason for the diversion. Authorities have not reported any fatalities, and the investigation into the cause remains ongoing.
