Flight forced to make emergency landing at Heathrow Airport after ‘cockpit fills with smoke’

A Delta Airlines passenger had to return to Heathrow Airport because his cockpit was filled with smoke.

The plane, heading to Boston Logan International Airport, made an emergency landing after staff complained about smoke.

Frightened passengers were told that the U-turn was due to safety concerns of the crew members involved.

Flight DL-59 at 10am had an eight-hour journey to the United States but was forced to return to Britain an hour and 35 minutes after takeoff.

The aircraft was at 36,000ft off the west coast of Cornwall when smoke began filling the cockpit due to a reported ‘unidentified mechanical problem’.

When they returned, it was reported that emergency vehicles surrounded the plane, firefighters boarded the plane, and 250 passengers were sent back to the terminal by shuttles.

A Delta spokesperson said: ‘Delta Flight 59 from London-Heathrow to Boston on 5 October 2025 landed safely after returning to LHR due to reports of smoke on board.

‘Delta’s customer team assists customers with accommodation and rebooking. We apologize to our customers for the delay, but the safety of our customers and crew will always be Delta’s top priority.’

Following the incident, the major airline is replacing auxiliary power units in its fleet of Airbus aircraft to eliminate toxic smoke leaks.

It comes after an American Airlines plane was surrounded by emergency vehicles at Heathrow Airport due to a suspected malfunction.

The service from West London to Philadelphia had reached just beyond the south coast of England when it was forced to turn back.

While it was understood that the plane landed safely, the vehicles were lowered to the asphalt as a precaution.

The Daily Mail has contacted Delta Airlines for comment.