{"id":162186,"date":"2026-10-26T20:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T14:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=162186"},"modified":"2026-10-26T19:33:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T14:03:50","slug":"united-airlines-737-returns-to-las-vegas-after-hijack-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/26\/united-airlines-737-returns-to-las-vegas-after-hijack-threat\/","title":{"rendered":"United Airlines 737 Pilots Returns to Las Vegas After Potential Hijack Threat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LAS VEGAS-<\/strong> United Airlines (UA)<\/a> flight 1681 returned to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas on Saturday, October 24, 2026, after a flight attendant reportedly spotted a passenger texting about hijacking the aircraft. The Boeing 737 MAX 8<\/a> declared an emergency and landed safely, where law enforcement met the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flight was scheduled to travel from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey. The incident prompted a security response, an overnight delay, and an investigation involving the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"United
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

United Airlines Flight Returns After Reported Hijack Threat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

United Airlines Flight 1681 departed from Harry Reid International Airport<\/a> at 10:51 PM local time, 11 minutes behind its scheduled departure at 10:40 PM. The Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as N17310, was climbing toward its cruising altitude when a flight attendant reportedly noticed a passenger texting about hijacking the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to air traffic control (ATC) recordings shared by RobV on X, the flight attendant<\/a> alerted the captain after seeing the suspicious message. The aircraft had reached approximately 24,000 feet when the crew became aware of the potential security concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Audio of the suspected attempted hijacking of a flight from Vegas to Newark.
A flight attendant reportedly spotted a passenger sending a text message stating that he was going to hijack the aircraft pic.twitter.com\/XynXXhcB9s<\/a><\/p>— Rob V (@RobV59) October 25, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>