A United Airlines flight headed to Newark, New Jersey, aborted its journey Saturday night and returned to Las Vegas after a 25-year-old passenger allegedly sent a text message threatening to "hijack" the aircraft. The diversion happened less than an hour after the red-eye flight took off, per Flightradar24 data. United confirmed the plane returned safely to address a "potential security concern," leaving 150 passengers stranded on the tarmac until the flight resumed for Newark the following morning.
The criminal complaint details the alleged message: the man reportedly wrote he was "gonna hijack this" plane—using an expletive in the process—and threatened to "crash ur row only." Las Vegas police detained him after receiving a report of "terroristic threats" or providing false information regarding an act of terrorism. The document does not specify who received the text or the exact method of delivery, but the charge carries a potential sentence of one to 20 years in prison.
The incident highlights a disturbing trend in aviation security. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the event. In a statement to The Associated Press, the FAA noted that there have been over 1,400 unruly passenger incidents so far in 2026. This specific case, involving a direct threat of violence, distinguishes it from mere disruptive behavior, prompting a full criminal investigation rather than a simple no-fly list entry.
The man’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday. For the 150 passengers on board, the ordeal meant a lost night and a delayed start to their journey, but they made it to Newark safely on Sunday morning. The FAA’s investigation will determine if this was an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern of in-flight threats.