An EasyJet Europe Airbus A321neo was forced to abort its departure from Milan Malpensa on 3 May 2025 after flight crew received reports of smoke in the cabin during initial climb. The aircraft returned safely with emergency services in attendance. A replacement aircraft completed the journey after a significant delay.
Incident Overview
Flight U2-3775, operated by EasyJet Europe, departed Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) at approximately 08:00 local time bound for Fuerteventura (FUE) in the Canary Islands. The aircraft involved, an Airbus A321-200NX (neo) registered OE-ISD, was carrying 203 occupants including passengers and crew.
Shortly after takeoff from runway 35L, as the aircraft climbed through approximately 9,000 feet, the flight crew was alerted to the presence of smoke in the passenger cabin. The crew immediately stopped the climb and advised Milan ATC of the developing abnormal situation. An expedited return was initiated, and the aircraft was vectored for an approach to runway 35R.
The aircraft landed safely and taxied to the apron with emergency vehicles in trail. No injuries were reported.
Passenger and Cabin Observations
According to multiple passenger statements, the cabin was briefly filled with visible white smoke, and a burning or electrical-type odour was noticed. The smoke did not appear to thicken or lead to panic, but cabin crew responded quickly to manage the situation and communicate with the cockpit.
There was no indication of fire or heat sources within the passenger compartment itself. Cabin pressurisation and lighting remained stable throughout.
Flight Crew and System Response
The crew responded by executing non-normal procedures per Airbus’ smoke or fumes checklist, including:
Donning oxygen masks and switching to intercom Reducing cabin airflow via pack and recirculation settings Isolating galley or equipment power if necessary Monitoring electrical buses and avionics racks for anomalies
The return was executed under full control. The crew did not declare a MAYDAY, suggesting that the situation, while serious, was not considered life-threatening. However, emergency services were positioned at Malpensa on standby as a precautionary measure.
Aircraft Details
Aircraft Type: Airbus A321-251NX (neo) Registration: OE-ISD Engines: 2 × CFM LEAP-1A32 Operator: EasyJet Europe Age: Approximately 3.5 years
The A321neo is equipped with advanced cabin airflow systems and fire detection units located in multiple zones including:
Avionics bay Cabin air distribution ducts Lavatories and galleys Overhead panels and lighting fixtures
White smoke with no heat is often associated with electrical short-circuiting, recirculation fan motor issues, or moisture condensation in air distribution packs following cabin pressurisation anomalies or air cycle machine (ACM) faults.
Maintenance and Operational Follow-Up
Following the return, OE-ISD was taken out of service for technical inspection and diagnostic testing. As of 11 hours after landing, the aircraft remained on the ground at Milan Malpensa, with no further updates on its return to service.
Maintenance teams are likely to have focused their investigation on:
Cabin air system (packs, ducts, recirc fans) Avionics bay smoke sensors and electronic racks Galley electrical systems Generator or bus bar anomalies
There has been no confirmation of the specific fault source at this time. No emergency evacuation was necessary, and passengers disembarked normally.
Replacement Flight
A replacement Airbus A321neo, registered OE-ISC, was dispatched to operate the remainder of flight U2-3775. The substitute aircraft reached Fuerteventura approximately 7 hours behind schedule.
EasyJet has not released an official statement beyond confirming the incident and reiterating that passenger safety was not compromised.
Conclusion
This incident highlights the complexity of smoke detection events in modern airliners, particularly during climb when air systems are under heavy demand and electrical loads fluctuate. The crew’s prompt action in halting the climb and returning to the departure airport minimised risk and prevented escalation.
While the presence of smoke in the cabin is always treated with the highest level of caution, the successful return and lack of injuries demonstrate the effectiveness of both Airbus’ system architecture and EasyJet crew training.
Further details from post-flight diagnostics will help determine whether the cause was electrical, environmental, or a malfunction in the aircraft’s air handling systems.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and reports at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided.
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