MANILA (UPDATED) — A Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight bound for Los Angeles, California from Manila made an emergency landing at Haneda Airport in Japan early Thursday after reports of smoke in the cabin.

Flight PR102 left Manila around 10 p.m. on Wednesday. All its 359 passengers and crew were reported safe after the emergency landing, PAL said.

The airline said the cabin smoke was emitted by one of two air conditioning units.

"The flight landed safely at Haneda at 3:30 AM local time. Following several requests, the aircraft was finally assigned a disembarkation gate at 10:00 AM," the airline said.

Jo Koy, family safe after plane from PH makes emergency landing

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier said it sought assistance from Haneda Airport authorities to allow passengers to disembark.

“It’s difficult lang because ground handlers at HND (Haneda) [are] all working on the scheduled flights,” Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said.

'SMOKE FILLED THE AIR'

A passenger on the flight, Valerie Del Castillo, said she woke up to the strong smell of burning plastic.

“It was so bad. The smoke filled the air. We all covered our mouths and noses as staff seemed to panicked. I didn't panick until a representative came on the intercom announcing we will be looking for a place to emergency land the plane with a quivering voice. I could hear the fear in his words,” she said.  

Del Castillo said the crew distributed wet face towels, while some passengers also used their in-flight eye masks for added protection.

Jennifer Taylor, who celebrated her birthday on the flight, said some of her fellow passengers complained that the smoke stung their eyes and hurt their throat.

She said the smoke started to dissipate before they reached Haneda.

Taylor commended the flight crew for their response to the incident.

"They did the best they could. There’s so many people crying and panicking at one point. Some passengers got up... The flight attendants were able to calm everybody down and eventually got everybody back on their seat," she said.

SHOW CAUSE ORDER

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered PAL to explain the incident regarding the diverted PR102 flight.

Dizon directed the oder through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

The DOTr said it has already coordinated with Haneda Airport to provide support for the affected passengers, and ensure their safe disembarkation.