A United Airlines flight bound for Palma de Mallorca, Spain, from Newark Liberty International Airport was forced to return midflight due to a possible security threat. The flight, which took off around 6 p.m. on Saturday, landed back at Newark at 9:37 p.m., as confirmed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The incident involved a security concern related to a Bluetooth device on board. According to air traffic control audio, the issue arose after someone named their Bluetooth device a “certain four-letter word.” Despite repeated requests from crew members for passengers to turn off all Bluetooth devices, two devices remained on, prompting the decision to turn the flight around after consulting with United Airlines’ headquarters in Chicago.

Upon landing, all 190 passengers and 12 crew members aboard the Boeing 767 were evacuated. Port Authority police conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft, and passengers were rescreened by TSA and Customs and Border Patrol before being allowed to reboard a replacement flight. The airline has not disclosed specific details about the security concern.

The replacement flight, with a new crew, departed early Sunday morning and successfully landed in Palma de Mallorca later that afternoon. This incident marks the latest in a series of disruptions for United Airlines this month, including a domestic flight diversion due to an unruly passenger and a separate incident where a United flight struck a semitrailer truck and a light pole at Newark airport, fortunately without injuries.

Recent Security Incidents

United Airlines has faced multiple security-related incidents recently, highlighting the ongoing challenges airlines face in ensuring passenger safety. The airline’s commitment to security protocols was evident in their swift response to the potential threat, prioritizing the safety and security of all passengers and crew members.

While the specifics of the Bluetooth device incident remain undisclosed, it underscores the importance of adhering to airline safety instructions and the potential consequences of non-compliance. Passengers are reminded to follow all crew instructions and ensure that electronic devices are used responsibly during flights.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.