A Delta flight carrying actor Andrew Garfield and several other notable figures, including reality TV personality Dylan Wrona and actors Nick Robinson and Owen Thiele, was forced to make an emergency landing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week due to a concerning smoky odor detected in the aircraft cabin. The flight, identified as Delta Flight 958, was en route from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City when the diversion occurred.
Emergency Landing Details
The unexpected smoky smell prompted the flight crew to initiate an emergency landing as a precautionary measure. Delta Air Lines confirmed the incident in a statement, apologizing to the passengers for the disruption. “We apologize to our customers on Delta Flight 958 (LAX to JFK) on Sept 9, which diverted to Albuquerque due to a smoky odor in the aircraft,” a Delta spokesperson stated. “The aircraft landed uneventfully and our teams worked to reaccommodate customers as quickly as possible to their final destinations.” The airline’s swift action ensured the safety of all passengers and crew aboard the flight.
Celebrity Passengers and Their Experiences
Among the passengers grounded in Albuquerque was Andrew Garfield, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in films like “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “Hacksaw Ridge.” Also on board were Dylan Wrona, a contestant from “Love Island USA,” and actors Nick Robinson, known for “Jurassic World,” and Owen Thiele, who appeared in “Adults.” Singer Mark Ambor was also reportedly on the flight.
Dylan Wrona, 24, shared a moment from the unexpected stop on his Instagram Stories, posting a selfie with Garfield, 43, captioned: “Our plane is here to save us.” While Wrona appeared to be contemplating the extended layover, noting “Airport bar closed” and asking followers for suggestions on how to pass the time for 5.5 hours, other celebrities embraced the situation with a more adventurous spirit.
Making the Best of a Delay
Owen Thiele, 29, documented his experience during the grounding in a series of Instagram posts. He managed to forge new friendships among his fellow passengers, including Mark Ambor, 28. Thiele humorously noted the potential headlines if the situation had been more dire, observing, “Andrew Garfield on my flight. If plane went down it would’ve said Andrew Garfield and others.” He also pointed out Nick Robinson’s presence on the flight.
Thiele and his newfound companions decided to make the most of their time in Albuquerque. They were seen grabbing drinks at a restaurant within the Albuquerque International Sunport and even ventured into the city for a brief excursion. Thiele shared a selfie from the back of a car, captioning it: “In the back of a car going to Dave and busters with 9 people I’ve never met before.”
Their adventures continued as they ordered food from a local PF Chang’s via Uber Eats. However, the experience had a comical twist when they realized they had to go through airport security again to bring the food inside. To add to the minor chaos, Thiele discovered they had received the wrong order, with a fortune cookie message reading: “A thrilling new experience is at your fingertips.” Mark Ambor later posted a Boomerang of the group, with Thiele’s caption: “Owen immortalized our Albuquerque experience 4ever.”
Upon eventually boarding a new flight to their final destination, Thiele reported that Nick Robinson was seated next to him. Reflecting on the unexpected detour, Thiele later expressed gratitude for the experience, telling his followers, “Thank u for following along lol i love my new friends we’re all in a group chat.”
Context of Recent Celebrity News
The incident involving the diverted flight occurred shortly after Andrew Garfield garnered significant attention for his upcoming role in a biopic about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The trailer for the film, directed by Luca Guadagnino, sparked varied reactions online. Some viewers expressed skepticism, questioning the necessity of a film about Altman’s brief ousting from OpenAI in 2023. Conversely, others drew parallels to Garfield’s previous role as Eduardo Saverin in David Fincher’s “The Social Network,” highlighting his consistent engagement with narratives surrounding influential figures in the tech industry.
The emergency landing provided an unexpected, albeit inconvenient, shared experience for the diverse group of celebrities, turning a travel mishap into a memorable, and for some, a bonding, event in Albuquerque.

