According to the airline, an "indication of a mechanical issue in an engine" prompted the flight crew to divert the Airbus A330 to an Air Force base in the Azores. It is a remote chain of islands off the coast of Portugal. "Seeing all the emergency vehicles lining the runway, it reminded us it was a potentially dangerous situation," Elder said.

A Delta flight to NYC made an emergency landing in the Azores due to an engine issue and stranded passengers for 29 hours.

Delta Flight 127, which departed Madrid, Spain diverted to the volcanic island of Terceira in the Azores. Passengers were stranded 29 hours there.