A flight operated by American Airlines was forced to turn back to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Tuesday evening after passengers and crew reported a strange smell in the cabin shortly after takeoff. The flight, numbered 274, had departed from LAX at around 5 p. m. and was headed to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, as reported by Cedar News.

The airline confirmed that the plane returned to LAX “due to reports of an odor in the cabin. ” The pilots also informed air traffic control that they could both smell and taste something unusual in the air, causing them to put on oxygen masks as a safety precaution. As a result, the decision was made to return to LAX.

The Airbus A321, with 94 passengers and seven crew members on board, landed safely back in Los Angeles. Emergency crews were present on the runway to meet the plane upon landing. While seven passengers were checked by medical staff, no one needed to be taken to the hospital.

American Airlines has apologized for the incident and confirmed that the aircraft has been taken out of service for inspection. “The plane will be reviewed by our maintenance team before returning to operation,” the company stated. They also expressed their regret for the inconvenience caused to their customers and assured that they always prioritize safety.

This is not the first time an American Airlines flight from LAX has faced an unexpected delay. According to FoxBusiness, just a few weeks ago, another flight heading to Boston had to abort takeoff due to another aircraft on the runway.

The exact cause of the odor on Tuesday’s flight has not yet been identified, however, American Airlines emphasized that safety is their top priority. Passengers affected by the delay were later accommodated on another flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified of the incident and is expected to conduct its own review.

The timing of this incident is particularly challenging for US airports as they continue to operate with reduced staff due to the ongoing government shutdown. With tens of thousands of air traffic controllers and TSA agents working without pay, there has been increased pressure on airport operations.

It is unclear how long the aircraft will remain out of service for inspection, but American Airlines has assured that they will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of their passengers before returning the plane to operation.