Flight forced to make emergency landing at Heathrow Airport after 'cockpit fills with smoke'
A Delta Airlines flight was forced to turn around and land back at Heathrow Airport after smoke filled the cockpit. The plane was heading to Boston Logan International Airport and made the emergency landing following reports from staff of fumes. Spooked passengers were told the U-turn was due to safety fears from concerned crew members. The 10am flight DL-59 had an eight hour journey ahead to the United States but had to return to Britain within one hour and 35 minutes after takeoff. The plane was off the west coast of Cornwall 36,000ft in the air when smoke started to fill the cockpit of the due to a reported 'unidentified mechanical issue'. Emergency vehicles surrounded the plane once they returned and fire officials boarded the aircraft as the 250 passengers were sent back in shuttles to the terminal, it has been reported. A Delta spokesman said: 'Delta flight 59 from London-Heathrow to Boston on October 5, 2025, landed safely after returning to LHR due to reports of smoke in the aircraft. 'Delta's customer team is assisting customers with accommodations and rebooking. We apologise to our customers for the delay, but safety for our customers and crew will always be Delta's top priority.' Following the incident the major airline is now replacing the auxiliary power units on its fleet of Airbus planes to address toxic fume leakages. It comes after an American Airlines plane has been surrounded by emergency services vehicles at Heathrow Airport after it suffered a suspected malfunction. The Philadelphia-bound service from west London had made it just beyond England's south coast when it had to turn back. It is understood the plane landed safely, but the vehicles were ushered to the tarmac as a precautionary measure. The Daily Mail have contacted Delta Airlines for comment.