Imagine settling into your seat on a long-haul flight, anticipating the journey ahead, only to find out that the plane has to turn around because the pilot forgot their passport. Sounds like a plot twist in a comedy, right? Well, that’s exactly what happened on a recent United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai.
On March 22, 2025, United flight 198, a Boeing 787-9 carrying 257 passengers and 13 crew members, had to divert to San Francisco shortly after takeoff. The reason? One of the pilots realized they didn’t have their passport on board.
This unexpected detour led to a three-and-a-half-hour delay as the airline scrambled to arrange a new crew. Passengers were provided with meal vouchers and compensation for the inconvenience. United Airlines issued a statement saying, “We arranged for a new crew to take our customers to their destination that evening.”
Adding to the intrigue, this wasn’t an isolated incident. Just a week earlier, on March 14, another United flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai faced a similar hiccup when a pilot forgot their passport, causing a significant delay before departure.
These incidents highlight the critical importance of meticulous pre-flight checks, even for seasoned professionals. While passengers are accustomed to ensuring they have their travel documents, it’s a reminder that flight crews are human too and can occasionally overlook essential items.
For a deeper dive into this story and to explore other aviation mishaps, check out the full article.
