13-hour flight carrying hundreds of passengers forced to turn around after pilot forgot crucial item

A United Airlines pilot was forced to turn around this week after he forgot one very crucial item.

We'll admit that going on holiday can be a stressful experience for some. Typically, it comes down to remembering to do everything. Have you switched the stove off, have you locked the back door, did you pack your swimwear, and where's all the money?

It usually falls on one person to take on the burden of making sure everyone has everything and gets to the airport on time, but when it's just you, you've only got yourself to blame. We imagine the life of a pilot isn't as glamorous as it seems, and although jet-setting around the world might sound fun, living out of a suitcase and ordering room service every night would soon lose its appeal. That's before you even have to deal with the jet lag.

As highlighted by travel site View from the Wing, an awkward situation has seemingly unfolded aboard one United Airlines plane during a 13-hour flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai.

Flight UA198 took off from Los Angeles International Airport at 2pm local time on March 22, as planned, with its 257 passengers. After around two hours in the air, UA198 performed an unexpected U-turn and was seemingly diverted to San Francisco International Airport.

It's true that tracking data on FlightRadar24 records the Boeing 787-9 flying over the Pacific Ocean and then unexpectedly turning back around to California. With many questioning what was going on, one passenger took to X and claimed the flight was disrupted due to the pilot forgetting his passport. They wrote: "UA198 diverted to SFO because the pilot forgot his passport? Now stuck 6+ hours. Completely unacceptable. @united, what compensation are you offering for this total mishandling?”

The airline responded with an apology, and while the OP said the agents did what they could, they added that all passengers involved should be liable for compensation.

Passengers were reportedly given the following message as well as a $15 meal voucher when they landed in SFO: "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."

We dread to think what the diversion would’ve cost, with the outlet noting the enormous sum to divert a widebody aircraft. It's not just the compensation to passengers but the fact that the pilot likely had to dump fuel before landing in LA. Thankfully, it's likely to be the airline that will take on the cost, not the pilot.

Most embarrassingly, the site reports that this is the second time it's happened in a week...and on the same route. At least the mistake was caught before the plane took off the last time the pilot forgot their passport.

The first rule of going to the airport is checking your pockets to ensure you have your passport before leaving the house. Sadly, it's one that United Airlines pilots might need to be reminded of.