Midair scare forces packed passenger jet into emergency landing, travelers hospitalized

A Boston-bound Delta Air Lines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Portugal, disrupting travel plans for more than 280 passengers.

The flight on Sunday from Barcelona, Spain, to Boston, Massachusetts, was diverted to Porto after smoke was detected in the cabin.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that 14 passengers required medical attention after the plane landed, citing Portugal's civil protection service.

PROBE UNDERWAY AS 7 FLIGHT ATTENDANTS SICKENED BY BAFFLING ODOR ON MAJOR AIRLINE

Of the 14 passengers, four were taken to local hospitals for smoke inhalation and were reportedly only "lightly" affected, the news agency said.

A Delta spokesperson confirmed the Sept. 27 incident to Fox News Digital but did not comment on the hospitalization reports.

A Boston-bound Delta Air Lines flight carrying 283 customers was diverted to Porto, Portugal, after smoke was detected in the cabin. (Nicolas Economou/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The diversion was due to a "reported mechanical issue," the official said.

"The flight landed safely, and we apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels as we work to get them to Boston as safely and quickly as possible," the spokesperson added.

CO-PILOT BECOMES SICK MIDAIR AS CREW ILLNESS REPORTS EMERGE AFTER OVERNIGHT LAYOVER

Delta Air Lines said it was working to rebook customers on alternative flights to their final destinations.

The Airbus A330-300 carried 13 crew members and 283 customers.

The Airbus A330-300 (model shown above) was carrying 283 customers and 13 crew members when it was diverted to Porto, Portugal. (Nicolas Economou/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The air in aircraft cabins "is as good as or better than the air found in offices and homes," according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

"In rare instances, mechanical issues such as failures of an engine oil seal or recirculation fan bearings can cause fumes to enter the cabin," the FAA notes on its website.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

"Airlines are required to report these incidents to the FAA. The FAA investigates the causes and makes sure they’re fixed before the aircraft returns to service."

The airline said it was working to rebook customers after the flight was diverted before reaching Boston. (iStock)

All airlines are required "to supply clean air to both passengers and crew members," the FAA added. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS

"Airplanes must be designed to provide the equivalent of 0.55 pounds of fresh air per minute per occupant, a ventilation rate that is consistent with other public environments," the agency's website states.

Other flights have made headlines in recent months after unexpected incidents prompted crews to return to airports or alter their routes.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Earlier this year, a Cape Air flight bound for Boston was forced to return to Nantucket, Massachusetts, shortly after takeoff when the upper section of its main cabin door partially opened mid-flight.

The Delta flight was carrying 13 crew members in addition to 283 customers when it made the unscheduled landing. (Douglas Rissing/Getty Images)

More recently, a Delta Air Lines flight bound for Orlando returned to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport minutes after takeoff due to a reported medical issue involving a pilot.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The Aug. 31 flight, which carried 178 passengers and seven crew members, landed safely before Delta arranged for a new crew to continue the trip to Orlando.