Delta Air Lines flight diverts twice following lavatory leak

Delta Air Lines Flight 81, an Airbus A330-900neo traveling from Paris to Seattle, was forced to divert twice due to a mechanical issue involving an onboard lavatory. The aircraft, carrying 209 passengers and 13 crew members, initially diverted to London Heathrow Airport after approximately 40 minutes of flight.

Upon approaching London, the crew declared an emergency with air traffic control because the aircraft was overweight for landing due to its full fuel load for the transatlantic crossing. While the plane landed safely, passengers reported that liquid, described by some as sewage, spread into the cabin. Reports indicate that blue blankets were used to cover the wet aisles and that passengers remained onboard during the cleaning process, facing odors and cleaning fumes.

Following the stop in London, the flight diverted again to New York JFK for a crew change before eventually arriving in Seattle approximately nine hours behind schedule. Delta issued a statement apologizing for the experience and the delay, noting that the airline is focused on getting customers to their destinations safely.