JetBlue Airbus A220 Diverts to JFK After Burning Odor Reported in Cabin

A JetBlue Airbus A220-300 was forced to divert to New York's JFK Airport shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) due to a burning smell reported in the cabin. The aircraft, operating flight B6561 from New York to Palm Beach International (PBI), halted its climb at 5,000 feet and landed safely at JFK about 30 minutes later.

JetBlue confirmed that the odor was suspected to originate from a malfunctioning air conditioning unit. The flight, which departed LaGuardia at 12:50, circled south of New York City before landing on JFK’s Runway 04L at 13:22. The FAA is investigating the incident, emphasizing that burning smells onboard are considered serious safety concerns.

Passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft, and the delayed flight landed at Palm Beach International just before 19:00, approximately four hours late. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and passengers were re-accommodated without further disruption.

The aircraft involved, registered as N3125J, is a relatively new addition to JetBlue's fleet, delivered in March 2023. This aircraft, named 'Blueteus Maximus,' is part of JetBlue’s ongoing fleet modernization program, which prioritizes the A220 model to replace its aging Embraer E190 fleet by 2025. JetBlue's current fleet includes 37 A220s, with plans to induct 20 more annually through 2029.

This incident follows a similar event last month involving a Delta A220, also prompted by a burning odor shortly after takeoff. Safety concerns such as these typically result in emergency landings to ensure passenger welfare.