29.10.2026 22:08
A United Airlines plane that took off for New Jersey in the US returned to Las Vegas after suspicion that a passenger had sent messages about hijacking the plane. After the cabin crew reported the situation to the pilot, the cockpit door was locked for security, and the plane landed safely at the airport.
In an incident that occurred on the night of Saturday, October 24 in the US, a security alarm was triggered on United Airlines Flight 1681, which had taken off from Las Vegas bound for Newark. After the flight crew reported seeing messages on a passenger's phone about hijacking the plane, the pilots decided to turn back.
CABIN CREW MEMBER NOTICED THE MESSAGES
According to reports in the US press, a cabin crew member noticed that one of the passengers had mentioned a plan to hijack the plane in messages sent from their phone. After the situation was reported to the pilot, the cockpit door was locked and air traffic control was informed.
In the pilot's conversation with air traffic control, it was relayed that the cabin crew member had seen the messages in question and that the passenger was not aware of the situation. The aircraft then changed course and returned to Las Vegas.
THERE WERE 156 PEOPLE ON BOARD
The Boeing 737 aircraft was reported to have 150 passengers and 6 crew members on board. The plane landed safely at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. No one was injured in the incident.
PASSENGER FIRST DETAINED, THEN ARRESTED
The Las Vegas police announced that after the incident, a 25-year-old passenger was detained and arrested on charges of making a threat related to a terrorist act or providing false information.
FLIGHT TOOK PLACE AGAIN HOURS LATER
The flight, which returned to Las Vegas due to security concerns, was postponed overnight after the crew's legal working hours expired. United Airlines announced that the plane took off again for Newark on the morning of Sunday, October 25.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the airline confirmed that the flight returned due to security concerns.