Southwest Flight Declares Emergency, Lands at LAX
A Southwest Airlines flight bound for San Jose diverted and landed safely at Los Angeles International Airport after the crew reported an engine issue.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Air Travel
Southwest Airlines Flight 3396, which departed John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, declared a general emergency and landed at Los Angeles International Airport around 12:25 p.m. local time on Runway 25L. The flight had been scheduled to land at San Jose airport and landed without incident just under an hour after taking off around 11:30 a.m.
Why it matters
The emergency declaration and diversion show how crews respond to in-flight mechanical problems, with the aircraft returning to a major airport for landing. Passengers on Los Angeles-area flights may see a brief disruption to their schedules as the emergency is investigated.
The flight stopped its climb around 20,000 feet and broadcast squawk code 7700, the general emergency transponder code. The crew reported an engine issue, but the specific fault and its cause have not been disclosed.
The players
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is a major low-cost carrier headquartered in Dallas, Texas, that operates Flight 3396.
The details
Flight 3396 took off from John Wayne Airport around 11:30 a.m. with San Jose as its destination, then stopped its climb near 20,000 feet and broadcast squawk code 7700. It landed on Runway 25L at LAX around 12:25 p.m. local time without incident.
Timeline
November 6, 2026, around 11:30 a.m. local time: Flight 3396 takes off from John Wayne Airport.
November 6, 2026, around 12:25 p.m. local time: Flight 3396 lands safely at LAX.
Travel Outlook
Emergency diversions like this one follow the standard air traffic control procedure, in which a pilot broadcasts squawk 7700 to alert controllers and is directed to the nearest suitable airport. Such precautionary landings are a routine part of how commercial aviation handles in-flight mechanical issues.
Travelers booked on Southwest flights out of Los Angeles may want to check their flight status before heading to the airport if a diversion occurs. Passengers on a diverted flight typically receive updates from the airline about rebooking and onward travel.
The takeaway
Emergency declarations and diversions are a routine safety tool, and a safe landing at the nearest suitable airport is the intended outcome. Travelers facing a similar delay should monitor airline notifications for rebooking details.
Further reading
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