Plane diverted for 'smoky smell' lands safely

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A Delta flight heading from New York's LaGuardia Airport to Atlanta landed at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport just minutes after takeoff on Monday because of "a smoky smell in the cabin," a Delta spokeswoman said.

Delta Flight 1281, a Boeing 757, reported electrical problems to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before landing safely at JFK around 9:45 a.m. The flight took off at 9:25 a.m. with 163 passengers.

"There was a smoky smell in the cabin so they diverted to JFK," said Delta spokeswoman Peggy Estes, spokeswoman, noting that there was no visible smoke.

She said the passengers exited the aircraft and a maintenance crew is checking the plane.

According to Delta's Web site, the flight was scheduled to depart LaGuardia at 9 a.m. and land at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport at 11:39 a.m.