{
  "id": 16636523,
  "title": "United Airlines hijack scare: Passenger's texts prompt flight diversion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/united-airlines-hijack-scare-passengers-texts-prompt-flight-diversion",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-26T17:42:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/americas/united-airlines-hijack-scare-passengers-texts-prompt-flight-diversion-1.500724622"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "United Airlines Flight 1681, en route from Las Vegas to New Jersey, performed an emergency landing on Saturday night after a flight attendant spotted a passenger texting about hijacking the aircraft. The Boeing 737, carrying 150 passengers and six crew members, was only 20 minutes into its journey when the crew reported a potential security issue. The pilot informed air traffic control that the plane was returning to Las Vegas due to the alleged threat. The crew placed passengers in lockdown as the pilot spoke with authorities. The FAA confirmed the aircraft landed safely at Harry Reid International Airport around 11:05 PM, after the crew had reached its duty-time limit and had to depart the next morning. No injuries were reported, and passengers were transferred to another flight. The FAA will investigate the incident, though the identity of the passenger and whether the threat was genuine have not been confirmed.",
  "summary": "A United Airlines flight bound for New Jersey returned to Las Vegas shortly after take-off on Saturday, after a flight attendant reportedly saw a passenger texting that he planned to hijack the aircraft. United Flight 1681, carrying 150 passengers and six crew members, was travelling from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas to Newark Liberty International Airport when the crew reported…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "United Airlines CEO wants the tax that made billionaires flee California across America",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/united-airlines-ceo-wants-the-tax-that-made-billionaires-flee",
        "published": "2026-10-26T07:41:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}