DALLAS- A Southwest Airlines (WN) flight from New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Dallas Love Field (DAL) was unexpectedly diverted to Nashville International Airport (BNA) on Monday, June 2, 2025, following a bomb threat made mid-flight.
Flight WN2556 remained grounded in Nashville for nearly four hours as law enforcement, including tactical units, responded to the reported security incident and escorted a male passenger off the aircraft.
Southwest Flight Gets Bomb Threat
The routine Southwest Airlines service from New York City (LGA) to Dallas (DAL) took a sharp turn when a bomb threat was allegedly phoned in during the flight.
Initial communication to passengers cited a fuel-related stop, but video evidence showed at least eight armed officers boarding the aircraft in full tactical gear.
Passengers were ordered to keep their heads down as the team detained a single male passenger and searched his luggage onboard before exiting.
The flight was operated by a 10.6-year-old Boeing 737-800, registered as N8652B.
The diverted aircraft was held on the ground at Nashville International Airport (BNA) for nearly four hours while the threat was assessed and the aircraft secured. No explosive device or hazardous materials were reported found.
Phoned-In Bomb Threat
According to reports by local journalist Nick Beres and multiple passenger accounts, the bomb threat was allegedly made by the detained passenger’s spouse.
Though the call was reportedly recanted while the aircraft was on final approach into Nashville, authorities proceeded with the high-alert interception protocol. Law enforcement has not released an official statement confirming the caller’s identity or motive.
While online speculation suggested the incident might have been used as a pretext by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain the passenger, no federal agency has confirmed such claims.
Law enforcement protocol in these situations generally prioritizes aircraft and passenger safety above convenience.
Aviation security procedures require passengers to remain seated during onboard detentions, especially when a potential explosive device is suspected. This approach minimizes risk and ensures controlled containment of any threat.
Authorities likely acted on either a credible phoned-in threat or a prior database alert not addressed before boarding.
Passengers were compensated with a $100 travel voucher for the extended delay and inconvenience. No charges or official cause have yet been released by federal authorities pending further investigation.
Similar Incidents
Aviation authorities responded to separate bomb threats targeting commercial flights within days of each other in May 2025, highlighting ongoing security challenges facing the airline industry.
Hawaiian Airlines Flight Bomb Threat
Hawaiian Airlines flight operations experienced a significant disruption on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, when authorities received a bomb threat targeting a scheduled service from San Diego International Airport to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
The Airbus aircraft had completed departure procedures and left the gate at approximately 8:30 a.m. when the threat emerged.
Port of San Diego Harbor Police immediately coordinated with multiple law enforcement agencies to execute emergency protocols.
The flight crew diverted the aircraft to a secure area of the tarmac, where emergency personnel established a safety perimeter. By 10:30 a.m., passengers began evacuating the aircraft under the direct supervision of emergency responders.
Law enforcement vehicles surrounded the Airbus while specialized K-9 units conducted comprehensive security sweeps of the aircraft.
Authorities moved the plane to an isolated location to facilitate thorough inspection procedures without disrupting regular airport operations.
American Bomb Threat
American Airlines encountered a separate security incident on Wednesday, May 15, 2025, when flight 2484 experienced delays following reports of an onboard security threat.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was preparing for departure from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to New York LaGuardia Airport when the situation developed.
The incident originated when a passenger reported overhearing a conversation about a bomb, prompting immediate action from airport authorities.
According to View From the Wing, airport police isolated the aircraft away from terminal buildings and surrounded it with emergency vehicles and specialized response teams.
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport initiated a partial ground stop just after noon, affecting operations at the nation’s second-busiest airport. The Federal Aviation Administration ordered the temporary suspension to ensure passenger safety and allow law enforcement to address the potential threat.
Airport police boarded the Boeing 737-800 and evacuated all 180 passengers, transporting them by bus to a secure area for questioning. Officers conducted individual interviews to identify anyone who might have made or overheard threatening remarks during the boarding process.
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