A flight from Tel Aviv to New York was diverted after a reportedly strange smell was detected onboard. The aircraft was a United Airlines flight heading to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which serves as a major hub for New York, before being diverted to Athens, Greece.
Strange odour found in cabin.
According to FlightRadar24, the flight code was UA168, and it landed at Athens International Airport (ATH) after circling mid-flight. The aircraft model was a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and took off from Tel Aviv at 10:41 p.m. UTC before changing course for the Greek city.
Reportedly, a burning smell and signs of smoke were seen in the cabin, possibly indicating electrical issues.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is a popular passenger aircraft model with long-haul features designed and optimised for international routes. It is a stretched, twin-engine, mid-size wide-body aircraft with high fuel efficiency, inclusive passenger cabins, and composite construction, making it a sturdy plane. Boeing’s 787-9 Dreamliner made its maiden flight on Sept. 17, 2013 and entered service in 2014. United Airlines is one of the primary users of this aircraft model, operating 59 of them on 79 different flight routes.
The FAA is investigating Boeing’s 787-9 and the broader Dreamliner fleet and is proceeding with a series of inspections, including an airworthiness directive on Dec. 7, 2026, which will determine which features of the aircraft are in an unsafe condition. The FAA noted that inspections of the Boeing 787-9 fuel tank and sealant must be reviewed and repaired due to a potential spark risk during lightning weather events.
Increased flight concerns
The diverted UA168 flight follows a growing number of incidents involving bomb threats over the past week, with airlines such as Aer Lingus, Finnair and Ryanair reporting concerns; fighter jets were deployed to escort the carriers last week during an incident.
Other reports have acknowledged multiple threats to various European airports in countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Romania, Ireland and the UK.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) spoke on the bomb threat it received, stating:
“There are robust UK aviation security standards in place to assess and safely manage these types of situations.”
Over 30 flights have been affected so far, with passengers’ journeys disrupted by diversions.
What do you think about the strange odour and the increase in bomb threats? Let us know.
