United Airlines Flights Disrupted After Pilots Forget Passports

Two Los Angeles to Shanghai flights in March were delayed or diverted due to pilots not carrying required travel documents, causing significant passenger delays and operational costs.

• On March 22, United flight UA198 was diverted to San Francisco mid-flight after the pilot realized they did not have their passport, delaying 257 passengers.
• Passengers on UA198 were delayed for over six hours and eventually continued to Shanghai with a replacement crew, receiving meal vouchers and compensation for the disruption.
• A similar incident occurred on March 14 with United flight UA857, which was delayed before departure from Los Angeles due to a pilot forgetting their passport.
• Both incidents highlight operational challenges for airlines in ensuring compliance with international travel protocols for flight crews.
• Flight diversions and delays due to crew errors are costly, involving expenses for fuel, replacement crews, and passenger compensation.

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