Reported hijack texts prompt United flight to return to Las Vegas
United Airlines Flight 1681 returned safely to Las Vegas on Saturday, October 24, after a flight attendant reportedly spotted a passenger's texts about hijacking the plane. The Newark-bound flight had 150 passengers and six crew members aboard.
Omar Al Nuaimi
Crew reports a security concern
The flight left Harry Reid International Airport shortly before 11 p.m. local time, bound for Newark Liberty International Airport. Aviation A2Z identified the aircraft as a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registration N17310, delivered to United in July 2023.
According to CBS News, a flight attendant noticed messages about taking control of the aircraft and alerted the pilot. Aviation A2Z reported that the plane had reached approximately 24,000 feet when the crew learned of the potential security concern.
The crew did not confront the passenger. In recorded radio communications, the pilot told air traffic control that a flight attendant had seen him "texting that he was going to hijack the aircraft." The pilot said the crew had gone into lockdown, while the passenger remained unrestrained and unaware of the response. Asked about his behavior, the pilot described him as compliant because he did not know what was happening.
Flight-tracking records showed the aircraft turning back less than 20 minutes after takeoff. Aviation A2Z placed the reversal over Oak Grove, Arizona. That publication and The Jerusalem Post reported that the crew transmitted squawk code 7700, signaling a general emergency, rather than 7500, the code reserved for hijacking.
Fuel weight complicates the return
As the crew prepared to land, the pilot described the aircraft to controllers as "grossly overweight" and said it needed to burn fuel. Reducing fuel weight before an unplanned landing can limit stress on the landing gear and other structural components.
Aviation A2Z reported approximately 24,800 pounds (11,249 kilograms) of fuel aboard. Because the 737 MAX 8 has no fuel-dumping system, the crew burned fuel before landing. The captain also warned that the aircraft might require all of Runway 26L, which The Jerusalem Post said measures 10,526 feet (3,208 meters).
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed a safe return to Harry Reid at around 11:05 p.m., following what the crew reported as a "passenger disturbance." The airport told People that no injuries were reported.
Overnight delay and an FAA investigation
United described the return as a response to a potential safety concern. The airline said the crew reached its duty-time limit, delaying the trip until Sunday morning. People reported that passengers were moved to another flight.
According to Aviation A2Z, the replacement service departed Las Vegas at 7:03 a.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2026, and arrived in Newark more than eight hours later than originally scheduled.
The FAA said it would investigate the incident. The passenger has not been publicly identified, and the available information does not establish whether he intended to act on the alleged threat. Neither United nor the relevant authorities have publicly confirmed additional details about him or any potential charges.
