Delta Joins United, and American Airlines: You Won’t Believe the Shocking Emergency Landings at Chicago and Los Angeles!

Published on December 15, 2025

Major hubs such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway serve tens of millions of passengers a year. Between January 2022 and December 2025 these airports faced a series of emergency landings and diversions that tested the resilience of pilots, air traffic controllers and airport authorities. The incidents involved both large scheduled airliners and smaller general‑aviation aircraft; in every case official statements emphasised adherence to safety procedures and the absence of serious injuries. The following narrative chronologically summarises the key events during this period.

2022: Early events

On 15 January 2022 a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 operating Flight 362 to Maui returned to LAX soon after takeoff because of a mechanical problem. Charles Pannunzio of Los Angeles World Airports told local media that the aircraft had to be towed off the runway and that no injuries were reported[1]. The airline apologised for the inconvenience and an investigation was started. This event underscored the importance of immediate return when crews detect anomalies.

Chicago’s first notable emergency landing occurred on 30 November 2022 when an Atlas Air cargo plane travelling from Topeka to Europe diverted to O’Hare after cockpit systems indicated an abnormality in the cargo compartment. NBC Chicago reported that airline officials later determined the warning to be false, but the aircraft landed at 3:49 p.m. and was inspected by Chicago firefighters and airport officials; no injuries occurred[2]. The incident demonstrated that crews and airports treat all warnings seriously, even when they turn out to be spurious.

2023: Bird strikes and unruly passengers

On 4 April 2023 an American Airlines Airbus A321 operating Flight AA2611 from Chicago O’Hare to Los Angeles experienced bird strikes on takeoff. According to aviation incident reports, the crew encountered hydraulic and electrical‑generator issues, declared an emergency and returned to O’Hare. The pilots performed a low approach so ground crews could check the landing gear; the aircraft landed safely and the FAA recorded the emergency[3].

Security‑related diversions occurred that summer. In July 2023 a United Airlines flight from Houston to Amsterdam diverted to O’Hare after an unruly passenger disrupted the cabin; ABC7 Chicago noted that the aircraft landed without incident and the passenger was taken into custody[4]. A similar episode occurred on 3 October 2023 when a Sun Country Airlines flight from Minneapolis to Newark diverted to O’Hare because of another disruptive passenger. Travel industry reports state that law enforcement met the aircraft and the passenger was removed[5]. Although the diversions were prompted by cabin behaviour rather than mechanical failures, they were managed like other emergencies, with priority landings and passenger safety as the overriding concern.

2024: Tire failures, security issues and mechanical problems

On 7 March 2024 a United Airlines Boeing 777 bound for Osaka (Flight 35) departed San Francisco and lost a wheel assembly on takeoff. The flight diverted to Los Angeles, where it landed safely with 249 passengers on board. United Airlines said its 777s have six tires on each main landing gear and are designed to land with a missing tire; the cause of the failure is under FAA investigation[6]. Only a few days later, on 13 March 2024, an American Airlines Boeing 777 taking off from Dallas–Fort Worth blew a tire. According to FAA statements summarised by news outlets, the pilots declared an emergency and the aircraft landed in Los Angeles without injury[7].

Los Angeles saw another tire‑related event on 16 November 2024 when an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737‑900 that had departed Washington Dulles lost a tire on takeoff. Alaska Airlines said the crew elected to continue to Los Angeles, declared an emergency as a precaution and landed at LAX with 175 passengers and six crew at about 8 p.m. Passengers described feeling a jolt on landing, but no injuries occurred; the airline removed the aircraft from service pending inspection[8].

During the final days of 2024 a United Airlines Boeing 757‑300 (Flight 2373) bound for Kona reported an engine issue and returned to LAX. The FAA said the aircraft landed safely around noon and the incident would be investigated[9]. Two days earlier, on 27 December 2024, air traffic controllers at LAX instructed a Key Lime Air jet to hold short of the runway to avoid conflict with another departure. Although the aircraft never crossed the runway, the event prompted a review of runway‑incursion procedures[10].

Chicago also experienced several emergency landings in 2024. On 1 December 2024 an American Airlines Boeing 737‑800 (Flight 1047) bound for Las Vegas returned to O’Hare around 9:45 a.m. after the crew reported an electrical issue; the FAA noted that the plane landed safely and would be inspected[11]. Earlier, on 21 February 2024, a United Airlines Boeing 787 (Flight 1533) from Newark to Los Angeles diverted to O’Hare because of a security concern. FAA officials said the aircraft landed around 7:40 a.m. and law enforcement met the plane; there were 202 passengers on board[12].

A series of March incidents were captured in FAA timelines. On 9 March 2024 a United Airlines flight departing O’Hare returned after crew detected an oil‑warning light; the FAA said the plane landed safely[13]. A few days earlier, on 4 March 2024, a United flight from Pensacola to Chicago reported a gear problem but was able to land in Chicago without incident[14]. These mechanical alerts prompted emergency declarations and precautionary landings but resulted in no injuries.

2025: Fires, leaks and bird strikes

The new year began quietly until 26 February 2025, when a Delta Air Lines Airbus A350 (Flight 92) arriving from Brisbane landed at LAX because of a possible tire‑pressure issue; the FAA said the plane landed safely around 6:50 a.m.[15]. A few months later, on 12 June 2025, a Super Petrel LS amphibious aircraft experienced engine problems and landed in the ocean off Point Fermin near Los Angeles; both occupants were uninjured and the FAA is investigating[16]. The next day (13 June 2025), an American Airlines Boeing 737‑800 (Flight 2546) bound for Mexico City returned to LAX after the crew reported a window‑seal leak; the aircraft landed at about 10:20 a.m.[17]. In July, two airline emergencies occurred within four days. On 14 July 2025, a Sun Country Airlines Boeing 737‑800 (Flight 430) bound for Minneapolis–St Paul returned to LAX after pilots noted engine problems; the FAA said the aircraft landed safely around 1 a.m.[18]. On 18 July 2025, Delta Air Lines Flight 446, a Boeing 767‑400 headed to Atlanta, declared an emergency after flames were seen from one engine. The jet returned to LAX around 2:10 p.m., landed safely and the FAA launched an investigation[19].

Chicago experienced multiple emergencies in 2025. On 12 February 2025, Delta Air Lines Flight 2761 (a Boeing 717 from Detroit to Kansas City) diverted to O’Hare after a smoky odour appeared in the flight deck. Delta said the crew followed established procedures and landed safely at O’Hare; no injuries were reported[20][21]. That evening a separate incident occurred when United Airlines Flight 1879, a Boeing 737 carrying 156 passengers and six crew to Los Cabos, returned to O’Hare due to a suspected cockpit electrical issue; United reported that emergency crews met the aircraft and there were no injuries[22]. Another account of this flight emphasised that the pilots suspected a cockpit fire, declared an emergency and landed safely, after which the plane was taken out of service[23].

On 25 February 2025 at Chicago Midway, Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 initiated a go‑around when a business jet inadvertently entered the runway; the FAA noted that the Boeing 737 did not touch down and the incident is under investigation[24]. A few days later, on 2 March 2025, United Airlines Flight 2481 (an Airbus A320 bound for Syracuse) struck birds after departure from O’Hare, prompting the crew to return. The FAA reported that the aircraft landed around 6:50 p.m. and there were no injuries[25]. In late summer (22 August 2025), an Air Canada Airbus A320 (Flight 1705) travelling from Toronto to Las Vegas diverted to O’Hare due to a passenger disturbance. The FAA said the plane landed safely at 10:30 p.m. and law enforcement met the aircraft[26].

Themes and observations

Throughout 2022–2025, emergency landings at Los Angeles and Chicago were caused by a range of factors: mechanical malfunctions (engine fires, hydraulic leaks, window‑seal failures and tire issues), bird strikes, cockpit odours, passenger disturbances and runway‑incursion hazards. The official reports reveal several common themes:

1. Rapid decision‑making and coordination. Pilots typically declared emergencies immediately after detecting anomalies, and air traffic controllers prioritised their return or diversion. For example, Delta Flight 446 returned to LAX minutes after flames were observed, and O’Hare controllers facilitated an emergency return for United Flight 1879 the same day.
2. Effective safety systems. Multiple incidents involved tire failures or hydraulic problems, yet redundant systems allowed safe landings. United stressed that its Boeing 777s can land safely even with a missing tire[6], and the safe return of aircraft after window‑seal or gear issues illustrates engineering resilience.
3. Passenger safety and law enforcement. In disruptions caused by unruly passengers, airlines diverted flights to Chicago where law enforcement removed those individuals[4][5]. The swift handling of these events prevented escalation and kept passengers safe.
4. Transparency and investigation. Each incident prompted statements from airlines and the FAA, and investigations were launched to determine causes. Official communications emphasised that no serious injuries occurred and that safety is the highest priority.

Overall, the record of emergency landings at Los Angeles and Chicago during this four‑year period highlights the professionalism of flight crews and the effectiveness of airport emergency procedures. Despite a diverse array of mechanical and human‑factors triggers, timely communication and rigorous adherence to protocols ensured that passengers and crews remained safe. These cases serve as reminders that while aviation incidents will occur in busy airspace, the systems in place can handle them without loss of life.

Reference list

1. Los Angeles 2022 Delta flight return – official statement from Los Angeles World Airports about Delta Flight 362 returning due to mechanical issue[1].
2. Chicago 2022 Atlas Air cargo diversion – NBC Chicago report quoting Atlas Air and Chicago authorities about the false cargo warning and safe landing[2].
3. Chicago 2023 American Airlines Flight AA2611 emergency – aviation incident report describing bird strikes, hydraulic issues and emergency return to O’Hare[3].
4. Chicago 2023 unruly passenger diversions – ABC7 Chicago and travel reports on United and Sun Country flights diverting to O’Hare for passenger disturbances[4][5].
5. Los Angeles 2024 United flight wheel loss – CBS Los Angeles coverage citing United Airlines’ statement and FAA investigation for Flight 35[6].
6. Los Angeles 2024 American Airlines tire blowout – news summary referencing FAA statement that the Boeing 777 blew a tire and landed safely at LAX[7].
7. Los Angeles 2024 Alaska Airlines tire loss – ABC7 Los Angeles report on Flight 309’s emergency landing at LAX and airline statement[8].
8. Los Angeles 2024 United Flight 2373 engine issue – FAA statement on Boeing 757‑300 returning to LAX[9].
9. Los Angeles 2025 Sun Country Flight 430 and Delta Flight 446 emergencies – FAA statements on engine‑related returns to LAX[18][19].
10. Los Angeles 2025 American Flight 2546 and Delta Flight 92 issues – FAA statements about window‑seal leak and tire‑pressure landing[17][15]; general aviation engine issue off Point Fermin[16].
11. Chicago 2024 electrical and security diversions – FAA statements on American Flight 1047 and United Flight 1533 returning/diverting to O’Hare[11][12]; timeline entries describing oil‑warning and gear issues in March 2024[13][14].
12. Chicago 2025 Delta Flight 2761 smoky odour – ABC7 Chicago and aviation sources quoting Delta’s statement[20][21].
13. Chicago 2025 United Flight 1879 cockpit issue – NBC Chicago report and follow‑up article detailing pilots’ suspected cockpit fire and safe return[22][23].
14. Chicago 2025 Southwest Flight 2504, United Flight 2481 and Air Canada Flight 1705 – FAA statements on the Midway go‑around, O’Hare bird‑strike return and passenger‑disturbance diversion[24][25][26].