United Flight to China Makes U-Turn Mid-Air After Pilot Forgets Passport, Causing 6h Delay

In a bizarre aviation mishap, a United Airlines flight bound for China had to make an unexpected U-turn mid-flight—not due to mechanical issues or weather, but because one of the pilots forgot to bring his passport.

The incident left passengers stranded for hours and sparked widespread discussion about airline protocols and flight crew responsibilities.

A Costly Oversight Mid-Air

United Airlines flight UA198, operating from Los Angeles (LAX) to Shanghai (PVG), was scheduled to embark on a long-haul journey spanning 6,485 miles aboard a Boeing 787-9 (registration N35953). The flight took off on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 1:45 PM, aiming for a 13-14 hour journey before landing in China the following evening.

However, around two hours into the flight, the aircraft abruptly changed course and headed back toward the United States. The reason? One of the pilots realized he didn’t have his passport—an essential document required for international flights.

Landing in San Francisco & Crew Time Restrictions

Instead of returning all the way to Los Angeles, the flight was diverted to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), landing approximately three hours after departure. But the problems didn’t stop there.

Due to strict crew duty-hour regulations, the flight crew—already in the air for several hours—would have exceeded their legal working hours had they continued the journey after the delay. As a result, United had to deplane all passengers and scramble to assemble an entirely new flight crew, further prolonging the wait.

United’s Response & Passenger Delays

To manage the situation, United Airlines provided passengers with meal vouchers worth $15 each, though this was met with frustration given the lengthy delay. Meanwhile, the airline worked quickly to find replacement pilots and flight attendants.

In an official statement to passengers, United tactfully explained:

Your flight diverted to San Francisco due to an unexpected crew-related issue requiring a new crew. Once they arrive, we’ll get you back on your way to Shanghai as soon as possible. We sincerely apologize for this disruption and appreciate your patience.”

After hours of waiting, UA198 finally took off again at 9:01 PM, with a revised arrival time of 12:49 AM on Monday—over six hours behind schedule.