United Airlines passengers on a Los Angeles-to-Shanghai flight were left perplexed when their flight was forced to take a mid-air U-turn after the pilot realized he had left his passport behind.
United Airlines Flight UA198, a Boeing 787 with 270 people on board, had already lit up the Pacific Ocean on Saturday afternoon when it suddenly altered its course and headed for San Francisco, according to flight-tracking service. The incident resulted in a delay of significant time to the journey to China.
United Airlines has confirmed the diversion on Tuesday saying the pilot’s missing passport was the reason for the last minute return. “We changed to a new crew to take our customers to their destination that night”, the airline said in an email to AFP. The airline also gave meal vouchers and indemnisations to the passengers affected, for but no more details were given. 
Flug später wieder abgeflogen und in der Zwischenzeit um etwa 6 Stunden verzögert in Peking gelandet.
The surprise diversion occurred as travel disruptions continued across the globe, including a major backlog at London’s Heathrow Airport, the busiest hub in Europe, the day before.
Although it was an embarrassment for the customers, United Airlines told passengers that their safety was the main concern. The travelers who experienced the delay were a mix of frustration and heart humour about the unique aviation accident, with some posting views on social media platforms.
