A United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai had to turn back after the pilot realized he had forgotten his passport. Flight UA 198, with 257 passengers and 13 crew members, departed from LAX on March 22 but returned to San Francisco two hours later, as the pilot couldn’t continue without the required documentation. The airline provided a new crew, and the flight eventually departed for Shanghai around 9 p.m., six hours behind schedule.

Passengers, including Yang Shuhan, a business traveler from China, were given meal vouchers and compensation for the inconvenience. Yang mentioned that the pilot admitted his mistake over the intercom, and while she appreciated his honesty, many passengers were frustrated. Complaints about the mistake spread online, with one popular post gaining over 10,000 likes.

The disruption also affected the return flight, UA 199, causing a six-hour delay for passengers traveling from Shanghai to Los Angeles. Aviation expert Shukor Yusof called the incident “embarrassing” and said it reflects a lack of discipline for a global airline like United. The mistake led to extra costs for fuel and compensation, causing further frustration among travelers.