You won’t believe why this flight had to turn back—even the pilot was caught off guard!
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Imagine settling into your seat, ready for a long-haul flight, your in-flight meal tray down, and a movie queued up.
You’re looking forward to landing in a new city, perhaps with plans to explore, reunite with loved ones, or dive into business meetings.
Then, out of nowhere, an announcement from the cockpit changes everything—your plane is turning back.
The reason? Something so unexpected, even the flight crew was left scrambling.
On what seemed like a routine Saturday, March 22, United Airlines Flight UA 198 took off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), bound for the bustling city of Shanghai.
The Boeing 787 jetliner carried 257 passengers and 13 crew members, all set for the long journey across the Pacific.
Everything appeared normal—until a startling realization forced an abrupt change in course: the pilot had forgotten his passport.
About two hours into the flight, as the aircraft cruised over the ocean, the oversight came to light, leaving the crew with no choice but to turn back.
Instead of continuing to Shanghai, the flight was redirected to San Francisco, where it landed around 5 p.m. local time, according to FlightAware’s tracking data.
Passengers, expecting to land in China, instead found themselves back on US soil, facing an unexpected delay.
United Airlines later confirmed the reason for the diversion, stating, “The pilot did not have their passport onboard.”
To minimize disruption, the airline quickly arranged for a new crew to take over, offering passengers meal vouchers and compensation for the inconvenience.
By 9 p.m., a replacement crew was in place, and the flight was once again on its way to Shanghai.
However, the unexpected detour had already caused a significant delay, resulting in a six-hour late arrival.
For travelers like Yang Shuhan, who had business commitments after landing, the delay meant additional stress—including a two-and-a-half-hour drive after finally arriving in China.
Despite the hassle, Yang acknowledged the situation with a bit of understanding, appreciating the airline’s swift response.
The delay didn’t just affect the outbound flight.
Passengers on the return flight, UA 199 from Shanghai to Los Angeles, also faced a six-hour setback, leading to frustration and disrupted schedules.
While the situation may seem like an unfortunate mistake, experts believe it raises broader concerns about discipline and preparedness within the aviation industry.
Shukor Yusof, founder of Endau Analytics, told CNN that such a lapse is “unacceptable” for a major airline and reflects a deeper issue in operational discipline.
Beyond the embarrassment, the financial impact for United Airlines could be steep, considering the cost of fuel, rescheduling, and passenger compensation.
The incident also comes at a time when United Airlines is already in the spotlight due to other controversies, including a lawsuit from an Orthodox Jewish passenger alleging mistreatment and a widely shared video of a mother being asked to remove her son’s breathing tube before takeoff.
For our GrayVine community, this unusual story serves as a reminder of the importance of double-checking travel documents before heading to the airport.
While most of us won’t find ourselves in the cockpit, ensuring we have our passports, visas, and other necessary paperwork can save us from travel headaches.
Read next: A flight they’ll never forget: Couple speaks out after sitting next to a deceased passenger
Now, we’d love to hear from you! Have you ever had to turn back because you forgot something important? What’s your best tip for staying organized when traveling? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
You’re looking forward to landing in a new city, perhaps with plans to explore, reunite with loved ones, or dive into business meetings.
Then, out of nowhere, an announcement from the cockpit changes everything—your plane is turning back.
The reason? Something so unexpected, even the flight crew was left scrambling.
Passengers faced unexpected delays after a United Airlines flight had to turn back due to a surprising oversight. Image Source: YouTube / KVUE.
The flight fiasco that had passengers stunned
On what seemed like a routine Saturday, March 22, United Airlines Flight UA 198 took off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), bound for the bustling city of Shanghai.
The Boeing 787 jetliner carried 257 passengers and 13 crew members, all set for the long journey across the Pacific.
Everything appeared normal—until a startling realization forced an abrupt change in course: the pilot had forgotten his passport.
About two hours into the flight, as the aircraft cruised over the ocean, the oversight came to light, leaving the crew with no choice but to turn back.
Instead of continuing to Shanghai, the flight was redirected to San Francisco, where it landed around 5 p.m. local time, according to FlightAware’s tracking data.
Passengers, expecting to land in China, instead found themselves back on US soil, facing an unexpected delay.
United Airlines later confirmed the reason for the diversion, stating, “The pilot did not have their passport onboard.”
To minimize disruption, the airline quickly arranged for a new crew to take over, offering passengers meal vouchers and compensation for the inconvenience.
The flight took an unexpected turn when a forgotten passport forced a return to the US. Image Source: YouTube / ABC7.
Also read: This mother's airline experience will make you rethink air travel with medical needs
A new crew and a delayed arrival
By 9 p.m., a replacement crew was in place, and the flight was once again on its way to Shanghai.
However, the unexpected detour had already caused a significant delay, resulting in a six-hour late arrival.
For travelers like Yang Shuhan, who had business commitments after landing, the delay meant additional stress—including a two-and-a-half-hour drive after finally arriving in China.
Despite the hassle, Yang acknowledged the situation with a bit of understanding, appreciating the airline’s swift response.
The delay didn’t just affect the outbound flight.
Passengers on the return flight, UA 199 from Shanghai to Los Angeles, also faced a six-hour setback, leading to frustration and disrupted schedules.
A photo taken by Yang Shuhan shows an in-flight screen on United Airlines Flight 198 displaying the plane's diversion to SFO. Image Source: CNN / Yang Shuhan.
Also read: Flight attendants' secret greeting strategy unveiled—find out why they never miss saying "hello"
The cost of an oversight
While the situation may seem like an unfortunate mistake, experts believe it raises broader concerns about discipline and preparedness within the aviation industry.
Shukor Yusof, founder of Endau Analytics, told CNN that such a lapse is “unacceptable” for a major airline and reflects a deeper issue in operational discipline.
Beyond the embarrassment, the financial impact for United Airlines could be steep, considering the cost of fuel, rescheduling, and passenger compensation.
The incident also comes at a time when United Airlines is already in the spotlight due to other controversies, including a lawsuit from an Orthodox Jewish passenger alleging mistreatment and a widely shared video of a mother being asked to remove her son’s breathing tube before takeoff.
For our GrayVine community, this unusual story serves as a reminder of the importance of double-checking travel documents before heading to the airport.
While most of us won’t find ourselves in the cockpit, ensuring we have our passports, visas, and other necessary paperwork can save us from travel headaches.
Read next: A flight they’ll never forget: Couple speaks out after sitting next to a deceased passenger
Now, we’d love to hear from you! Have you ever had to turn back because you forgot something important? What’s your best tip for staying organized when traveling? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
