American Airlines plane diverted, 5 hospitalized after mysterious odor reported

Five people on board an American Airlines plane were reportedly taken to hospital after the plane was diverted due to an odor inside the cockpit and cabin.

The FAA said, “American Airlines Flight 2118 landed safely at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston at approximately 7:10 p.m. local time on Sunday, November 23, after the crew reported fumes in the cockpit and cabin.”

The Federal Aviation Administration added, “The Airbus A321 aircraft departed Orlando International Airport heading to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.”

Four crew members and one passenger were taken to the hospital for treatment, Fox 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth reported, citing the Houston Fire Department.

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It was not immediately clear what the smell was.

“I’m going to do some transportation here off the airport for this,” a crew member was heard saying as the plane was diverted to Texas. “Airplane alarm. I’ll probably need 4 transport units.”

The other passengers on the plane were then transferred to another plane to continue on to Phoenix.

“On November 23, American Airlines Flight 2118 landed safely and proceeded to the gate under its own power at Houston (IAH) after reports of an odor on board. The flight returned for departure on an alternate aircraft,” American Airlines said in a statement Tuesday to FOX Business. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience.”

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An American Airlines Airbus A321 departs Los Angeles International Airport en route to Orlando on March 30, 2025. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images/Getty Images)

The FAA did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for further comment from FOX Business.

In October, another American Airlines plane turned back shortly after takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) “due to reports of an odor in the cabin,” the airline said.

The pilots in that incident also told air traffic control that they smelled and tasted something that prompted them to put on oxygen masks in the cockpit, WABC-TV reported.

An American Airlines passenger plane is parked at the gate of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on August 24, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)

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The plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport safely, and seven passengers were evaluated, but none were transported to a medical facility for further treatment, WABC reported.

FOX Business’ Pilar Arias contributed to this report.