A United Airlines flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles was forced to return to Honolulu after a “security concern” was discovered written on a bathroom mirror. On the same day, another Hawaii-bound flight faced a bomb threat that delayed its departure.
On Tuesday night, passengers traveling between Hawaii and California experienced significant disruptions due to back-to-back security threats. United Airlines flight 1169 diverted back to Honolulu shortly after takeoff when a note indicating a potential security issue was found written on a lavatory mirror.
According to United Airlines, all 339 passengers and 10 crew members were safely returned to Honolulu, and rebooking procedures were initiated.
United: “Law Enforcement Conducted Security Screening on the Aircraft”
A United spokesperson said:
“A potential security concern was identified written on a lavatory mirror on the flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles. The aircraft returned to Honolulu, where it was met by law enforcement officers who conducted a full security screening.”
Details regarding the content of the message or the identity of the person who wrote it have not been disclosed.
Bomb Threat on Another Flight: Passengers Waited Five Hours
Earlier in the day, Hawaiian Airlines flight 15 from San Diego to Honolulu faced a separate crisis. A bomb threat delayed the flight’s departure. Following an investigation, 35-year-old Army service member John Stea was arrested in connection with the threat.
All 293 passengers on board were safely evacuated, and the flight eventually departed with a delay of approximately five hours.
Rising Security Concerns Continue to Impact US Flights
The recent surge in flight-related security incidents in the US has increased anxiety for both airlines and passengers. Experts note that threats — especially those spread through social media or found in written form — are becoming more frequent.
Mixed Reactions from Passengers Online
In the aftermath, some passengers took to social media to share their panic and frustration. While some questioned, “Why cancel an entire flight over a note?” others supported the airline’s actions, saying, “They did the right thing for our safety.”
