Delta Flight 898 Returns After Cabin Smoke Odor

The U.S. government shutdown left TSA employees working without pay and prompted staffing shortages at major hubs, though union and airport officials debunked viral reports of a planned TSA strike. The shortages produced longer security lines and widespread disruptions; FlightAware recorded thousands of delays and the FAA said more than 5,800 flights were affected at airports including Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta and Newark. Delta Flight 898 from Atlanta to Los Angeles returned to Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport after a smoky odor was detected in the cabin; all 219 passengers and crew landed safely and were deplaned normally. Maintenance crews inspected the aircraft, and the flight later departed after passengers were reaccommodated. Other incidents over the weekend — including a United diversion after suspected space‑debris damage to a windshield and weather‑related cancellations at American — indicate that delays resulted from both shutdown-related staffing shortfalls and unrelated technical or weather issues.