Overview
- Delta Flight 2311, which was en route from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City on Sept. 6, made a rapid controlled descent from about 36,200 feet to roughly 9,000 feet after its cabin pressurization failed.
- Automatic oxygen masks deployed in the cabin and air traffic control audio captured the pilots declaring a rapid descent and requesting a direct route to Las Vegas.
- The Boeing 737‑900ER landed safely at Harry Reid International Airport with 174 passengers and six crew, no serious injuries were reported, and passengers were rebooked on another aircraft.
- Delta and aviation authorities have not publicly identified a definitive cause, but the aircraft returned to service within hours, a timeline that analysts say is consistent with a minor valve or software malfunction.
- Passengers described fear, ear pain and trouble hearing crew while masked, and the incident — the second Delta depressurization event reported this year — has drawn fresh scrutiny of airline systems and regulator oversight.