Stranded In The Azores: Mystery Odor Forces SWISS Boeing 777 Diversion

A SWISS Boeing 777-300ER flying from Chicago O’Hare to Zurich diverted to Lajes Airport in Portugal’s Azores after passengers reported an onboard odor. The aircraft, registration HB-JNF, carried 222 passengers and 16 crew and landed at 6:30 a.m. local time following departure shortly after 7:34 p.m. the night before. SWISS said around five passengers and one crew member underwent precautionary medical examinations, experiencing symptoms such as eye irritation, nausea, or headaches, but none required further treatment and everyone left the aircraft normally. The source of the smell remains under investigation, and SWISS is sending a replacement plane from Zurich to retrieve those stranded.