Flight disruptions continued over the weekend. United Airlines flight from Denver to LA was diverted to Salt Lake City after "space debris" damaged the aircraft's windshield. The investigation is still ongoing.
American Airlines also faced issues of its own, as cancellations and delays soared over the weekend. The airline issued an honest response to passengers, citing North Texas weather as a major factor in the flight disruptions.
On Sunday, October 19, delays and disruptions continued across the United States. Delta Air Lines has kept cool throughout the government shutdown. However, delays increased on Sunday, and one of its flights was forced to turn back, leaving passengers waiting hours for the flight to Los Angeles.
Here's a closer look at what happened, along with Delta's statement on the flight disruption.
Delta Air Lines Flight 898 From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Returned Due To A Smoke Smell In The Cabin
No injuries were reported in the incident that took place on Sunday, October 19. A Delta Air Lines flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was set to depart at 8:05 am. However, after takeoff, the flight returned to Atlanta, headed toward Los Angeles.
According to FOX Atlanta, a smoky smell wafted through the cabin. Flight 898 included 219 passengers, along with five crew members and two pilots. On the Boeing 757, all passengers and crew were unharmed.
After the Delta flight landed, maintenance crews boarded and are evaluating the plane for issues.
Passengers reached their destination, though, of course, plans were delayed—the next flight left over five hours later at 1:33 pm. Passengers from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport arrived in Los Angeles at 3:13 pm.
Delta Air Lines Issued A Brief Statement Over The Incident
Delta Air Lines was quick to issue a statement after the incident took place.
Delta confirmed that the flight turned back due to a smoky odor. The decision to turn back by the crew was simply "standard procedures." The airline apologized to passengers on the flight for the delay.
Delta wrote in a statement, "The safety of our customers and people is of utmost importance. That’s why our flight crew followed standard procedures to return to Atlanta after a smoky odor was detected in the cabin. We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels."
It proved to be a bumpy day of delays for not only Delta Air Lines, but the other major U.S. carriers on Sunday, October 19.
Thousands of delays took place across the board for the major U.S. airlines.
Delta Air Lines Experienced Several Delay Issues The Same Day, On October 19
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian revealed the government shutdown wasn't impacting the airline's flights just yet. However, there was a surge in delays on Sunday.
Delta has kept delays and cancellations tame during the shutdown. However, the airline had more delays than usual on Sunday. According to FlightAware data, Delta recorded 759 delays, affecting 30% of its flights. Cancellations stayed low at just four.
Total delays within, into, or out of the United States surged yesterday, hitting 7,403.
Southwest was at the top of the list, hitting 1,451 delays, resulting in disruptions to 33% of its flights.
Only American Airlines was behind Southwest Airlines for flight delays, with 1,079. AA's flight cancellation reached 35 on the day.
| Most Airline Delays Worldwide On Sunday, October 19, 2025: |
| Southwest Airlines: 1,451 |
| American Airlines: 1,079 |
| Delta Air Lines: 759 |
| United Air Lines: 625 |
| SkyWest: 535 |
| easyJet: 471 |
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's incident with Delta would lead to more delays throughout the day. The airport finished third worldwide for delays yesterday, hitting 335, impacting 27% of its flights.
Only Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Dallas-Fort-Worth International Airport were above the Atlanta airport for delays on Sunday.