Air France Flight Turns Back! Chicago Landing Denied Mid-Air!
Colaboradores
An Air France transatlantic flight, AF136, headed to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), was forced to return to Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) after nearly seven hours in the air. The Airbus A350-900, registration F-HUVR, departed Paris on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 12:49 local time, reaching a cruising altitude of 38,000 feet. However, while flying over the mid-Atlantic, between Iceland and Greenland, the crew made the unexpected decision to turn around.
According to reports, including information flagged by AIRLIVE, the flight was denied landing clearance at Chicago O'Hare. A passenger contacted AIRLIVE, confirming the reroute was due to the flight not receiving landing authorization. Air France later confirmed the return, citing “operational reasons” without elaborating further.
FlightRadar24 data shows the flight followed a typical northerly transatlantic route via the UK before reversing course. The aircraft landed safely back at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) on runway 27R, six hours and 37 minutes after its initial departure.
The incident has left passengers frustrated and seeking answers. Air France has arranged overnight accommodations for those affected and rebooked them on a replacement flight. The substitute service, flight AF4080, is expected to depart soon.
Why Was Landing Denied?
The exact reason for the denied landing clearance remains unclear. "Operational reasons" is a broad term that could encompass various issues, from airport congestion and weather conditions to technical problems or security concerns. Further investigation is needed to determine the precise cause of this unusual incident.
Passenger Impact
Passengers on flight AF136 faced significant disruption to their travel plans. The unscheduled return to Paris resulted in a lengthy delay and required Air France to provide accommodation and alternative flight arrangements. The airline's handling of the situation will be closely watched by those affected.
- Overnight accommodations provided.
- Passengers rebooked on replacement flight AF4080.
- Cause of denied landing clearance still under investigation.