Seattle-bound Alaska Airlines flight diverted to Portland by 'strong smell'

PORTLAND, Ore. - A Seattle-bound Alaska Airlines flight was diverted to Portland, Ore., overnight after a strong smell permeated the passenger cabin.

Alaska Airlines Flight 1323, an Airbus 319 aircraft, departed from San Francisco at about 9 p.m. for what was expected to be a two-hour flight to Seattle.

Sometime during the flight, a strong smell was detected onboard, and the captain decided to make an unscheduled landing in Portland to figure out the cause of the problem, said an airline spokesperson.

The aircraft landed safely, and passengers were rebooked on other flights to Seattle.

Crews inspected the Airbus to try to determine the cause of the odor, but found no indication of a fire onboard the jetliner.

"We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our guests," Alaska Airlines said in a statement.