CLT Flight To Orlando Evacuated For “Strong Odor”

CHARLOTTE , N.C. —  It was not the way families on board a Charlotte flight to Orlando wanted to start their Spring Break.

A frontier flight of 226 passengers was evacuated late Wednesday night before takeoff after a strong odor was detected.

Shayla Felder-Cox, her husband and two kids were on that flight. She says she thought that odor smelled like something was burning.

Felder-Cox says the evacuation was hectic and it was difficult to have to explain to her daughter why their first time to Disney had to be postponed.

“When she said to me, mom, why do we do this? Why do we have to do this? It just it crushed me because it’s like, you don’t plan for stuff like this to happen. You don’t think in a million years that this would happen to you,” said Felder-Cox.

In a statement, Frontier Airlines writes:

“March 28, 2024 – Yesterday evening as Flight 1759 was in the boarding process at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a strong odor was detected throughout the aircraft. As a matter of precaution, the captain issued an evacuation notice. Passengers exited the aircraft via both the jet bridge and evacuation slides. Initial reports indicate that no visible smoke or fire was observed. All passengers will be re-accommodated on alternate flights. We extend our sincere apologies and concern for those impacted and are investigating the cause of the incident.”