A Delta Air Lines flight to Phoenix from John F. Kennedy International Airport had to return to the New York City airport after the flight crew reported a cabin pressurization issue.
Flight tracking data from FlightAware showed Delta Flight 791 aboard a Boeing 757 departed at 9 a.m. Eastern time Thursday, Sept. 10. The jet was in the air for about 28 minutes before crew members reported the pressurization issue and the flight was diverted.
The plane safely returned to the airport about 10:25 a.m. Eastern, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the incident.
A Delta spokesperson stated that the crew declared an emergency to receive priority handling from air traffic control. Oxygen masks were deployed in the cabin.
None of the flight's 155 passengers or six crew members were injured.
"The flight landed safely, and we apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels," a Delta spokesperson said.
After the plane returned for evaluation by Delta's maintenance teams, the flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport continued on a different aircraft and "landed uneventfully," according to the spokesperson.
Looking for the best things to do in Arizona? Sign up for our newsletter.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@usatodayco.com.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix-bound flight was diverted back to New York. Why oxygen masks dropped
