Southwest Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Passenger Caught Reportedly Smoking Marijuana in Lavatory
A Southwest Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing at San Jose International Airport (SJC) on Wednesday after a passenger was caught smoking in the aircraft lavatory.
Southwest Flight 1250 had departed from San Francisco (SFO), bound for Los Angeles (LAX) at around 3:30pm local time on Wednesday, according to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 — one hour later than its scheduled departure time of 2:30pm.
However, after about 15 minutes in air, the aircraft began descending after a man was reportedly caught smoking in the aircraft's lavatory. The smoke triggered an alarm, forcing crew to make the decision to divert. The Boeing 737-700 (registration N7858A) eventually made an emergency landing at San Jose (SJC) at about 4:05pm.
According to NBC Bay Area, another passenger, Edmund Lo, reported that the man in question boarded the aircraft in a wheelchair. Once in-flight, Lo said the man got up and walked around before going to the restroom once the plane reached cruising altitude. Moments later, the alarm sounded and when the man returned to his seat, he smelled like marijuana, Lo said.
Southwest released the following statement: "Southwest Airlines Flight 1250 with scheduled service from San Francisco to Los Angeles landed safely after diverting to San Jose following indications a customer was allegedly smoking in the aft lavatory. The flight landed without incident where it was met by local law enforcement, and the customer in question was turned over to local authorities. Our employees in San Jose are working to accommodate the remaining 32 customers on other aircraft to continue their journeys."
No one was injured in the incident, and no delays were reported at the airport as a result, Southwest said.
TPG reached out to Southwest for an updated comment but did not immediately hear back.
In 2000, the US government prohibited smoking on all US flights. Now, smoking is banned on all commercial flights. In 2014, the US Department of Transportation prohibited the use of e-cigarettes on planes. However, on some international carriers, passengers have reported flight crew smoking in the cockpit. On a China Eastern flight from New York to Shanghai, TPG reported that the stench of smoke could be smelled from the first class cabin.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees