Local
Las Vegas-bound United flight turns back after alleged midair hijacking threat
A United flight carrying 150 people returned to Harry Reid International Airport Saturday night after a passenger allegedly sent messages threatening to hijack the plane. Police arrested the 25-year-old, and the flight continued to Newark the next morning after an overnight delay.
A United Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Newark returned to Harry Reid International Airport less than an hour after takeoff Saturday night after a passenger allegedly sent messages threatening to hijack the aircraft and crash it into a specific row of seats, according to a criminal complaint.
Las Vegas police said they detained the 25-year-old after receiving a report of “terroristic threats” aboard the flight. The passenger was arrested on suspicion of making a threat or providing false information about an act of terrorism, an offense that carries a possible prison sentence of one to 20 years.
The complaint quotes the passenger as saying he was going to hijack the plane and “crash ur row only.” It does not say how the messages were sent or who received them.
United said the aircraft, which had 150 passengers aboard, landed safely in Las Vegas to address a “potential security concern.” The flight was delayed overnight and departed for Newark on Sunday morning.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate. The agency reported more than 1,400 unruly-passenger incidents so far in 2026.
An attorney listed for the passenger did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His initial court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday.