A United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai had to turn back after it was discovered that one of the pilots forgot their passport. Flight 198, with 257 passengers and 13 crew members, departed LAX on Saturday at 2 p.m. However, after two hours in the air, the plane turned around and headed back to San Francisco, where it landed at 5 p.m.

United Airlines confirmed that the pilot did not have their passport on board, which led to the decision to return to San Francisco. The airline arranged for a new crew to continue the journey, and passengers were provided with meal vouchers and compensation for the delay. The flight eventually took off again at 9 p.m., arriving in Shanghai approximately six hours behind schedule.

This incident highlights the importance of pilots and crew members adhering to strict travel requirements, including having essential documents like passports for international flights. Despite the inconvenience, United Airlines worked to ensure the passengers continued their journey with minimal disruption.