MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Dozens of Minneapolis Southwest High School students had a frightening flight experience on a field trip to New York.

The Southwest students are members of the choir, theater department and dance group and were in New York to perform. They were scheduled to perform at the United Nations last Thursday, but they missed the concert because of a three-hour delay in leaving MSP airport.

Then, on their return flight Sunday night, the plane had to make an emergency landing.

The pilot of a Delta MD-88 smelled smoke shortly after takeoff from La Guardia airport and promptly put the plane down at JFK. No one was hurt.

Marty Keller is the father of one of the students.

“I think everyone was shaken up by the experience.” Keller said.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO’s Susie Jones Reports

Keller said he was texting his daughter throughout the ordeal.

“I think her text said there were 20 rescue vehicles fire trucks, ambulances and so forth, on the run way when the plane landed and very cautiously taxied to an open gate, and thankfully they all de planed safely” He said.

Keller said he has real concerns about the safety of Delta aircraft, after two mishaps in a matter of days.

“She was audibly upset by what happened, but managed to maintain her composure.” He said

The students were all given the day off school, after arriving early this morning at the airport.