United Flight 831 took off around 9 a.m. from Jose Marti Airport , the airline 's website says . It was supposed to land at 11:27 a.m. in Cancun , Mexico . Its crew noticed a strong odor in the plane , says FAA and United spokesmen . As a result , the flight is diverted and lands at Cuba airport around 9 a.m. . FAA , which does n't fly to Havana , is sending a plane there to transport passengers .
United Flight 831 took off around 9 a.m. from Jose Marti Airport , the airline 's website says . Its crew noticed a strong odor in the plane , says FAA and United spokesmen . As a result , the flight is diverted and lands at Cuba airport around 9 a.m. . FAA , which does n't fly to Havana , is sending a plane there to transport passengers .