Air Canada flight departing for Toronto made a precautionary return to Denver after reporting an acrid odour emanating from the cabin on 31 August 2025.
Air Canada flight AC1038, operated by an Airbus A220-300 had conducted a departure from runway 34L Denver International Airport (DEN).
The flight was a scheduled service bound for Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
Air Canada AC1038 Denver-Toronto
Shortly after takeoff, flight crew broadcast an urgency PAN PAN call. According to The Aviation Herald, flight crew reported an acrid odour emanating from the passenger cabin galley area.
As a result, a precautionary return to Denver was carried out. The aircraft landed on runway 26 Denver International Airport, approximately 20 minutes after its initial departure.
The aircraft was evacuated via emergency slides following the return landing. One passenger was reported to have received minor injuries during the course of the emergency evacuation procedure.
The scheduled service was subsequently cancelled as a result of the unserviceability.
Flight & Aircraft Data
Flight data shows that flight AC1038 had made an on-time departure out of Denver International Airport at 7:53 AM on 31 August.
Following the takeoff from runway 34L, flight crew terminated the climb procedure at flight level FL190.
A descent and direct return to the departure airport was then carried out.
The aircraft conducting the AC1038 service to Toronto Pearson International Airport was an Airbus A220-300, registered C-GYLQ. This is a 0.3 year old narrow body aircraft belonging to the national carrier Air Canada.
It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in June 2025.
