A Delta Air Lines long-haul service operating from the United States to Nigeria was forced to turn back mid-journey after spending several hours in the air, following what the airline described as an operational issue.

Flight DL54, which was scheduled to operate from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Lagos, departed Atlanta at about 5:42 p.m. EDT on May 9 aboard an Airbus A330-200 (registration N854W).

According to flight tracking data, the aircraft climbed to a cruising altitude of approximately 33,000 feet and maintained a normal eastbound route for roughly three and a half hours before the crew made the decision to reverse course.A Delta Air Lines long-haul service operating from the United States to Nigeria was forced to turn back mid-journey after spending several hours in the air, following what the airline described as an operational issue.

Flight DL54, which was scheduled to operate from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Lagos, departed Atlanta at about 5:42 p.m. EDT on May 9 aboard an Airbus A330-200 (registration N854W).

According to flight tracking data, the aircraft climbed to a cruising altitude of approximately 33,000 feet and maintained a normal eastbound route for roughly three and a half hours before the crew made the decision to reverse course.