Overview

• Flight UA198 departed Los Angeles on March 22 but was diverted to San Francisco after the pilot realized mid-flight they had forgotten their passport.
• The Boeing 787-9, carrying 257 passengers and 13 crew members, landed in San Francisco at 5 PM and departed for Shanghai at 9 PM with a new crew.
• Passengers experienced a six-hour delay and were provided with meal vouchers and compensation, though dissatisfaction with United Airlines' response remains.
• This was the second such incident on the same route in March 2025, raising concerns about United Airlines' pre-flight checks and internal processes.
• Aviation experts have criticized the incident as embarrassing and indicative of lapses in discipline and operational oversight for a major airline.