A teenager’s mischievous act led to a United Airlines flight heading to Spain having to turn back due to a security scare. The incident occurred when the 16-year-old named his Fitbit device ‘bomb,’ causing alarm among passengers and crew about an hour and a half into the journey from New Jersey to Mallorca.
In response to the flagged fitness tracker, a series of urgent announcements were made instructing all passengers to immediately switch off their Bluetooth devices to ensure safety onboard. Passengers recounted how the crew, following directives from United’s headquarters in Chicago, repeatedly urged compliance, warning that failure to do so would result in the aircraft turning back.
Despite the warnings, two devices, including the Fitbit labeled ‘bomb,’ remained active as part of a prank by the teen. This forced the pilot to make a mid-air U-turn back to New York, where a significant law enforcement presence awaited the flight’s arrival, including airport police and federal agents.
The incident highlights the serious consequences of making false threats on flights, underscoring the importance of adhering to aviation safety protocols.