Flight forced to make unscheduled landing after unusual smell detected on board

The flight was due to land in Zürich at 8pm but was diverted to Brussels only half an hour into the flight

Apr 9, 2026 - 23:15

0 14

Flight forced to make unscheduled landing after unusual smell detected on board

A flight from London made an unscheduled landing in Brussels after an unusual smell was detected in the cabin’s kitchen area.

Swiss International Air Lines flight LX325 departed London Heathrow airport at 5.42pm for an almost hour-and-a-half flight to Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday 6 April.

Just half-an-hour into the flight while travelling over Belgium, the flight crew transmitted a Squawk 7700 code, after which the Airbus A320 made a U-turn and diverted its course north to Brussels.

Squawk 7700 is a universal transponder code that alerts air traffic control when a plane needs immediate assistance for a general emergency, allowing the airport to clear the runway and prepare emergency services for when the flight arrives.

An hour after departing London, the plane landed at Brussels airport.

A spokesperson for Swiss told The Standard that an “unusual smell” was detected in the forward gallery, which is the kitchen area of the plane where crew prepare snacks and drinks.

After the smell was detected, “the crew of flight LX325 decided to carry out an unscheduled landing in Brussels”, the spokesperson added.

“The flight was en route from London to Zurich. The landing was uneventful, and passengers disembarked the aircraft via the regular procedures. As a precautionary measure, airport fire services were called to the scene, which is standard protocol in such situations.”

The airline did not describe where the unusual smell came from, but a Swiss spokesperson told The Independent that the plane was inspected by specialists and they did not find any technical faults.

The plane returned to Zurich and resumed service on 8 April after the inspection.

“All passengers were accommodated overnight in suitable hotels in Brussels,” the spokesperson added. “Our staff did their utmost to rebook them onto the best alternative connections for each individual.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers by this unscheduled landing. We fully understand that such a situation causes uncertainty, delays and additional effort for the travellers. We would like to thank our passengers very much for their understanding and patience in this exceptional situation.”