A United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai was forced to turn back mid-air after the pilot realized they had forgotten their passport.
The flight, carrying 257 passengers, took off from Los Angeles International Airport at 2 PM local time on March 22. However, about two hours into the journey, the pilot discovered the missing passport, forcing the aircraft to make a U-turn. The plane then landed at San Francisco International Airport around 5 PM.
Passengers were left surprised and frustrated by the unexpected diversion. United Airlines has not yet issued an official statement on the incident, but aviation experts noted that pilots on international flights must carry their passports as part of standard regulations.
A new flight from San Francisco to Shanghai departed at 9 PM, landing at 1 AM local time after a 12-hour journey. In a statement to The Independent, a United Airlines spokesperson confirmed that the diversion happened because the pilot did not have their passport.
“On Saturday, United flight 198 from Los Angeles to Shanghai landed at San Francisco International Airport as the pilot did not have their passport onboard. We arranged for a new crew to take our customers to their destination that evening. Customers were provided with meal vouchers and compensation,” the airline said.
According to The Independent, which cited View From The Wing, passengers received a message from the airline explaining the diversion. “Your flight was diverted to San Francisco due to an unexpected crew-related issue requiring a new crew. Once they arrive, we’ll get you back on your way to Shanghai as soon as possible. We sincerely apologize for this disruption and appreciate your patience,” the message stated.
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