Delta flight returns to JFK after pressurization issue

 A Delta airline flight bound for Phoenix was forced to make an emergency return to Kennedy Airport on Thursday morning after the crew reported a possible loss of cabin pressure, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.

The FAA said the Boeing 757-200, Delta Flight 791, made a safe return to Kennedy.

Records available from the Flight Aware flight tracking service showed the flight departed from Kennedy Terminal 4 around 8 a.m. and was somewhere near Baltimore when it turned back — landing at Kennedy at 10:22 a.m.

"Delta Air Lines Flight 791 returned safely to John F. Kennedy International Airport around 10:25 a.m. local time Thursday, Sept. 10, after the crew reported a possible pressurization issue," the FAA said in a statement to Newsday. "The Boeing 757 was headed to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport."

The agency said it was investigating the incident. It referred all additional inquiries to Delta.

Delta said that after the declaration of an emergency, the crew received "priority handling" from air traffic control and that on the plane's return to the gate, the situation would be "evaluated by our maintenance teams" — all as Delta worked to get the delayed customers to their destinations.

Delta confirmed there were 155 passengers and 6 crew aboard the flight. 

In a statement to Newsday, the Port Authority, which operates Kennedy, said two of the passengers aboard the flight requested medical attention after landing but "later declined further evaluation by FDNY EMS."

Thursday's incident is the latest in a string of declared emergencies and diverted flights for Delta.

Within the past month, two Delta flights — one bound for Chicago from New York, the other headed to New York from Jacksonville — declared emergencies due to reports of "fumes" in the cabin. The Jacksonville flight diverted to Raleigh-Durham, while the Chicago-bound flight was granted priority descent for landing at O’Hare.

And last weekend, a Delta flight from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City was forced to make an emergency descent due to what the FAA said was a reported cabin pressurization issue.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.