Odor diverts Mexico-bound U.S. flight to Cuba

HAVANA - A United Airlines spokesman says one its jetliners carrying passengers from Washington to a Mexican beach resort has made an unplanned landing in Cuba due to a strange odor inside the craft.

The statement from spokesman Charles Hobart says United Airlines Flight 831 was carrying 135 passengers route to Cancun, Mexico, when the crew noticed an unfamiliar smell in the cabin.

He says the plane made a safe landing Sunday at the nearest available airport — Havana.

Cuban airport and other officials reached by The Associated Press have no immediate comment.