L.A.-China flight diverted, delayed for hours after pilot forgets passport

Possessing valid documentation is the 2nd point connected the State Department’s checklist for U.S. tourists traveling internationally.

It’s required for pilots, too, arsenic an estimated 257 passengers recovered retired the hard mode past weekend.

United Airlines Flight 198 near Los Angeles International Airport astatine 1:47 p.m. Saturday for a astir 14-hour travel to Shanghai, China. However, the level was alternatively diverted to San Francisco arsenic the aviator “did not person their passport onboard,” according to an hose spokesperson.

The level landed successful the City by the Bay astatine 5:05 p.m.

The level was delayed much than 3 hours earlier taking off.

The United spokesperson said the hose arranged for a caller unit to alert passengers out. The caller 13-member unit was installed and the formation took disconnected astatine 8:28 p.m., landing astatine 12:48 a.m. section clip connected Monday.

Passengers were provided repast vouchers and undisclosed compensation for their delay, the spokesperson said.

Reddit users who said they were connected the formation said they were fixed $15 repast vouchers and were told the level was diverted owed to “unexpected crew-related issues.”

United did not respond to questions regarding what would person happened had the aviator landed successful China without a passport oregon if determination are immoderate measures successful spot to verify unit paperwork anterior to departure.