United Airlines Tel Aviv to Newark flight diverted to Athens over cabin odor

A United Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Newark diverted to Athens after a cabin odor was detected onboard. The service, identified as flight UA168, landed safely in Athens to address the issue.

The aircraft was carrying 230 passengers and 13 crew members at the time of the diversion. United Airlines confirmed that passengers deplaned normally and that arrangements were being made to continue the journey with a different aircraft to Newark.

Authorities or airline officials did not identify the source of the odor. The carrier stated that the precise origin of the smell remains unidentified.

The diversion occurred while en route to Newark Liberty International Airport, with the plane apparently reversing direction to land in Athens rather than continuing to New York.

This incident occurred amid a period of multiple hoax threats targeting European airports and flights, prompting evacuations, diversions, and security responses across several countries.