On May 30, 2026, a United Airlines flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to Palma De Mallorca Airport was diverted back to EWR after a security situation escalated. The aircraft, a Boeing 767-400ER, departed at 6:08 PM local time and was approximately 60 minutes into its transatlantic journey when the issue arose.
A passenger on board reported that a flight attendant instructed passengers over the PA system to turn off Bluetooth immediately or face a possible turnaround of the plane. Despite repeated warnings, not all passengers complied with the instructions, leading to the aircraft squawking an emergency code and turning around.
The crew's final warning was issued after two active Bluetooth devices were still present on the plane, prompting the authorities to take action. The aircraft landed back in EWR at 8:50 PM after spending almost three hours in the air.
The incident has parallels with other security scares that have occurred on United flights in recent days, including a Wi-Fi hotspot named 'Free Palestine, F Zionists' which prompted a similar warning from the pilot.
In April, two United flights were evacuated due to bomb threats, demonstrating the seriousness with which these incidents are taken. The use of personal devices as a means of communication has raised concerns about security and the need for vigilance among passengers.
The replacement flight arranged for affected passengers was ready to depart shortly after they arrived back at EWR. Passengers were asked to leave their cabin bags on the aircraft and take only their passports and phones with them.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of one's surroundings and taking swift action when necessary. Airlines and authorities must also be vigilant in preventing such incidents from occurring in the future.
The security measures put in place to prevent similar incidents will likely include increased monitoring of personal devices on flights and more frequent checks by crew members.
The incident highlights the importance of being aware of personal device usage on flights and the need for swift action by airlines and authorities.
