On Feb 20th 2026, a Wizz Air Malta Airbus A321-200N, registration 9H-WMI, returned to Barcelona shortly after reaching cruise altitude following reports of smoke in the cabin.
Flight W6-1476 had departed Barcelona for Warsaw with 239 people on board and had just levelled off at FL340 when the crew decided to discontinue the flight. Reporting smoke in the cabin, the pilots coordinated a return to the departure airport as a precautionary measure.
The aircraft landed safely on runway 24R in Barcelona approximately 45 minutes after departure. There were no reports of injuries.
A replacement A321-200N, registration 9H-WNN, was dispatched to complete the service to Warsaw, arriving with a delay of about eight hours.
As of roughly 11 hours after landing, the occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Barcelona for technical inspection.
Smoke indications in the cabin are treated with the highest level of urgency in commercial aviation, prompting immediate troubleshooting and, when necessary, a precautionary diversion. The crew’s prompt decision to return ensured a controlled outcome while maintenance teams assess the source of the smoke before the aircraft resumes service.
