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● LIVE Updated 1h ago · 15 sources tracked

United ‘hijack’ text scare forces plane to turn back

A United Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Newark was forced to turn back shortly after takeoff after a flight attendant spotted a passenger texting about hijacking the aircraft. Flight 1681 reached 24,000 feet before the crew locked down the cockpit and diverted the plane back to Harry Reid International Airport. The passenger was detained by police upon landing and arrested. Law enforcement identified the suspect as 25-year-old Dante Milne, who later told police that the threatening text messages were just a drunken joke and banter.

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⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
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  • ✓ A United Airlines flight bound for Newark was forced to turn back to Las Vegas after a flight attendant spotted a passenger texting about hijacking the plane.
  • ✓ Dante Milne, 25, was arrested at Harry Reid Airport after the incident on United Airlines Flight 1681.
  • ✓ The plane was turned back while flying at 24,000 feet and the cockpit was locked down.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 15 independent reporting domains (95% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

The suspect was publicly identified as Dante Milne and stated that the text messages were a drunken joke and banter.

Live updates

  1. Passenger arrested after text about hijacking United flight

    A United Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Newark was forced to turn back shortly after takeoff after a flight attendant spotted a passenger texting about hijacking the aircraft. Flight 1681 reached 24,000 feet before the crew locked down the cockpit and diverted the plane back to Harry Reid International Airport. The passenger was detained by police upon landing and arrested. Law enforcement identified the suspect as 25-year-old Dante Milne, who later told police that the threatening text messages were just a drunken joke and banter.

    Why it matters

    In-flight security protocols require immediate action when crew members detect potential threats inside the cabin, leading to standard diversion and cockpit lockdown procedures. Authorities responded swiftly on the ground to secure the aircraft and take the suspect into custody. The incident highlights the severe operational disruptions and passenger anxiety caused by threatening communications sent from inside commercial aircraft.

    What is confirmed

    • A United Airlines flight bound for Newark was forced to turn back to Las Vegas after a flight attendant spotted a passenger texting about hijacking the plane.
    • Dante Milne, 25, was arrested at Harry Reid Airport after the incident on United Airlines Flight 1681.
    • The plane was turned back while flying at 24,000 feet and the cockpit was locked down.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The suspect told police that the hijacking text was a drunken joke and banter, and plans to plead not guilty.

    What to watch next

    • Formal court arraignment and official charges filed against Dante Milne
    • Further statements from United Airlines regarding cabin security procedures during the incident
    Sources used for this update (21)
    1. www.dailymail.com — UK Home | Daily Mail Online
    2. abcnews.com — ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
    3. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Saudi Arabia Turns To Iran Amid Houthi Strikes, Dealing Trump A Major Gulf Blow? - Times of India Videos
    4. Las Vegas Review-Journal — Las Vegas police say man accused of making terroristic threats on plane
    5. AP News — United flight turned around after report of passenger making a terroristic threat
    6. KSNV — Man arrested at Harry Reid Airport after alleged text threat to hijack United jet
    7. FOX5 Vegas — Police detain man accused of making threats of terrorism on flight out of Las Vegas
    8. 6abc Philadelphia — 'Crash ur row only': United flight bound for Newark turned around after passenger allegedly said he'd 'hijack' plane
    9. NewsNation — United ‘hijack’ text scare forces plane to turn back
    10. KSNV — Man accused of terror threat on plane from Las Vegas to plead not guilty
    11. FOX 2 Detroit — Flight rerouted after passenger threatened to hijack plane
    12. FOX5 Vegas — ‘I’m gonna hijack’: Man accused of making threats on flight tells police it was ‘banter’
    confidence 95%
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