An electrical odor delayed about 180 passengers for several hours after their Los Angeles-bound United Airlines jet was turned around twice after taking off from Honolulu.

United spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said Flight 1196 first departed Honolulu Airport about 7 a.m.Wednesday with 176 passengers onboard, but customers and the crew noticed what was described as an electrical odor.

“In an abundance of caution, the captain elected to come back to Honolulu,” Johnson said.

The Boeing 757-300 landed in Honolulu about 8 a.m., and mechanics did an extensive test on the plane.

After the smell dissipated, the plane departed again at 12:15 p.m., but the odor returned and the captain decided again to return to Honolulu, landing about 1:15 p.m., Johnson said.

He said the airline will cancel the flight and put the passengers on other flights to L.A. today.

The passengers were originally supposed to arrive at LAX at 12:32 p.m. Hawaii.

“We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience,” Johnson said. “We’ll get them all to L.A. today.”