Air France 777 Los Angeles-Paris Diverts to Montreal Due Smoke Odor

An Air France Boeing 777-200ER from Los Angeles to Paris made an unscheduled diversion into Montréal on 9 May 2024. Flight crew initiated the diversion after detecting the odour of smoke in the cabin.

Air France flight AF21, a Boeing 777-200ER out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was in the cruise en route to Paris when the diversion decision was made.

Air France AF21 Los Angeles-Paris

The flight had passed into Canadian airspace and was operating at flight level FL350 (35,000 feet) when flight crew elected to divert to Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL).

Diversion to Montreal (YUL)

The aircraft presently remains at the diversion airport in Montréal following the evacuation of the aircraft earlier today.

Flight data shows that flight AF21 made a delayed departure out of Los Angeles LAX on 9 May.

The aircraft made an actual time of departure of 1431 local time against the scheduled departure time of 1340 local.

The flight then set course normally, climbing to flight level FL350 for the long haul service to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG).

Having passed out of United States airspace and into Canadian airspace, flight crew made the decision to divert as the aircraft approached Montréal.

A descent and approach was subsequently made to Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.

Comments surfacing on social media from passengers aboard the flight indicate that there was a smell of smoke in the cabin. Cabin reportedly then directed passengers to expedite an emergency evacuation of the aircraft.

Air France have subsequently released a statement confirming the decision was made to divert as per manufacturer’s and company procedures.

They confirm that the aircraft made a normal landing in Montréal at 2213 local time on 9 May. Emergency assets were on hand to meet the flight’s arrival.

Boeing 777-200ER F-GSPE

The aircraft conducting the AF21 long haul service to Paris was a Boeing 777-200ER, registered F-GSPE.

This is a 25 year old wide-body aircraft belonging to the national carrier Air France. It has been an operational service with the airline since its original delivery in January 1999. The aircraft remains on the ground at Montréal at the time of writing.

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