The Newark-bound flight landed safely in Las Vegas after a reported passenger security concern, delaying 150 travelers overnight.
LAS VEGAS, NV — A United Airlines flight bound for Newark returned to Las Vegas after a flight attendant reportedly saw a passenger texting about hijacking the aircraft, prompting the crew to secure the cockpit and alert air traffic controllers.
United Flight 1681 returned safely to Harry Reid International Airport late Saturday, Oct. 24, after what the airline described as a “potential security concern.” The airline has not publicly confirmed the precise wording of the passenger’s messages. The hijacking detail emerged from air traffic control communications reported by CBS News and other outlets.
The Boeing 737 was carrying 150 passengers and six crew members on a scheduled overnight flight from Las Vegas to Newark Liberty International Airport. No injuries were reported. Airport officials said the aircraft turned around shortly after takeoff following a reported passenger disturbance, while United characterized the incident more broadly as a security concern.
According to the reported air traffic control communications, a pilot told controllers that a flight attendant had seen a passenger sending messages indicating that he planned to hijack the aircraft. The pilot also indicated that the passenger did not appear to know that the crew had become aware of the messages. The crew secured the cockpit and coordinated a return to Las Vegas.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft returned safely and that the agency would investigate. Authorities had not publicly released the identity of the passenger as of Monday, and officials had not announced criminal charges or explained whether investigators determined that the messages reflected an actual plan, a threat, a joke or some other circumstance.
United did not describe the security concern in detail in its initial statement. Harry Reid International Airport confirmed that the flight returned because of security concerns and referred questions about the incident to law enforcement. Early reports also described the matter as a passenger disturbance. Authorities had not publicly said whether anyone was detained or arrested.
The diversion created a lengthy delay for travelers. United said the flight could not immediately continue because the crew reached its legal duty-time limit. Passengers remained in Las Vegas overnight before the flight departed again for Newark on Sunday morning.
Flight-tracking information showed the replacement departure left Las Vegas at about 7 a.m. Sunday and was expected in Newark shortly before 3 p.m. Eastern time. The disruption put passengers more than eight hours behind the flight’s original scheduled arrival.
The incident came without reported injuries or damage to the aircraft, but key questions remained unanswered Monday, including what investigators found when they reviewed the reported messages and whether the passenger would face any legal action. The FAA investigation and any additional findings from law enforcement could provide further details about what prompted the crew’s response.
Author note: Last updated October 26, 2026.