A Frontier Airlines flight from San Diego attempted an impromptu fire drill as it made a hard landing in Las Vegas, leaving 190 passengers and crew to wonder if they were headed to the terminal or a barbecue.

In a surprise twist for travelers, Flight 1326 declared an emergency upon arrival, reporting smoke in the cockpit and subsequently executing a hard landing that blew out tires and produced flames beneath the aircraft. Fortunately, the Clark County Fire Department was on standby for a quick response, ensuring that all passengers and crew were safely evacuated without injury, though they might want to pack extra marshmallows for their next flight.

The departure from sunny San Diego did not hint at the series of events that would unfold. At around 3:37 p.m. local time, passengers were treated to a bonus feature of their journey: an unexpected brush with the pyrotechnic arts. Footage shared by someone who probably nabbed a window seat showed flames leaping out from underneath the aircraft, coupled with a dramatic tail of smoke snaking skyward. It was a display that made the average rollercoaster look like a leisurely stroll in the park.

Thanks to Frontier’s commitment to safety, the flames did not turn into a full-blown firework show. Video evidence confirmed that the Clark County Fire Department was on the scene in record time, extinguishing any fiery ambitions harbored by the smoldering aircraft. No injuries were reported, which must have been a relief to the cabin crew who likely had just finished their safety demonstrations, which—let's face it—never seem particularly relevant until something goes awry.

With 190 passengers and seven crew members on board, the immediate evacuation went off without a hitch. All things considered, it’s a rare moment when an airline can claim their evacuation was as smooth as a pre-flight cocktail. Passengers were escorted to safety and whisked back to the terminal—an experience that was both a relief and probably left everyone wondering just how reliable airport snacks were at the moment, and whether a rather smoky flight would qualify as an appetizing pre-dinner option.

The FAA, presumably sipping on a strong cup of coffee, took note of the incident. Though the cause of this in-flight melodrama remains under investigation, officials will certainly be reviewing the ins and outs of standard operating procedures. After all, who could’ve predicted that ‘running late’ could simultaneously mean ‘emergency landing amidst flames’? It's the kind of juxtaposition that’s more common in poorly scripted dramas than in the real world. Yet, here we are.

Interestingly, the flight landed about half an hour late, which suggests that Frontier Airlines has inadvertently embraced a new marketing strategy: thrilling delays. The ground stop at Harry Reid International Airport lasted until 7 p.m., forcing several travelers to ponder whether their luggage would or would not arrive back after its own unscheduled adventure.

In a world of increasingly mundane travel experiences, Flight 1326 inadvertently provided a reminder that taking a trip could still qualify as an action-adventure flick—albeit one with a decidedly more uncomfortable seat and an inexplicable lack of popcorn. In any case, travelers can rejoice that today’s journey ended not with a bang but rather a fleeting puff of smoke and a few singed eyebrows.

As the smoke clears and investigations begin, those adept at finding the silver lining might now have new stories in their arsenal to share about their travels, surely including how Las Vegas offered an unexpected twist to the standard flying experience.