A United Airlines Boeing 787 on a flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo Narita made an emergency landing in Seattle due to a medical issue involving a flight attendant. Flight UA32 had departed Los Angeles at 11:05 AM local time on July 12 and was en route over the Pacific Ocean when the crew decided to turn back, landing safely in Seattle after several hours in the air.
The aircraft, registered as N29978, is a relatively new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which entered service in April 2020. United Airlines has a total of 45 of this aircraft type in its fleet, all actively flying with an average age of 6.7 years. Overall, United operates a diverse fleet including various Airbus and Boeing models.
While specific details surrounding the injury have yet to emerge, the flight remained on the ground in Seattle for about an hour. Subsequently, the aircraft returned to Los Angeles, and arrangements were made for the affected passengers to catch the next available flight to Tokyo.
Emergency landings such as this highlight the dedication of airline crews to passenger safety and wellbeing, showcasing their quick decision-making in critical situations. Further updates on the incident will be provided as more information becomes available.