A United Airlines flight heading from Las Vegas to Newark turned around Saturday night after a flight attendant reportedly noticed a passenger texting about hijacking the plane. Authorities later arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with the security scare, which left 150 passengers stranded overnight.
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According to the Associated Press, the October 24 incident involved United Airlines Flight 1681, which departed Harry Reid International Airport for Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The Boeing 737 returned to Las Vegas less than an hour after departure.The aircraft was carrying 150 passengers and six crew members. Airport officials confirmed that everyone landed safely and no injuries were reported.
What initially appeared to be a passenger disturbance has since developed into a criminal investigation.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Monday, October 26, that officers detained Dante Milne, 25, following the aircraft’s return. According to FOX5 Las Vegas, Milne was arrested on suspicion of making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism.
The reported threat first came to the flight crew’s attention while the aircraft was airborne.
Air traffic control recordings captured a pilot explaining that a flight attendant had allegedly observed disturbing messages on a passenger’s phone.
“The flight attendant saw him texting that he was going to hijack the aircraft,” the pilot reportedly told air traffic controllers.
The pilot explained that the crew initiated a cockpit lockdown as a precaution and decided to return to Las Vegas. The passenger reportedly remained unaware of the developing situation.
When air traffic controllers asked whether the individual had been restrained, the pilot indicated that he was cooperating and had not required physical restraint.
The crew also faced another challenge while preparing to land.
According to People, the pilot reported that the aircraft was carrying too much weight for an immediate return landing. Flight tracking information showed the plane making two loops while burning additional fuel before approaching the airport.
United Airlines confirmed the turnaround in a statement describing the incident as a “potential security concern.”
The airline did not publicly provide details about the alleged text messages or explain whether additional security measures were taken before the flight resumed.
After the plane returned, law enforcement officers responded to the situation. Police subsequently identified Milne as the passenger taken into custody.
According to FOX5, Milne was booked into the Clark County Detention Center. Court records reviewed by the station indicate that he later posted bond on $10,000 bail. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the complete wording of the alleged messages or provided additional evidence establishing what Milne intended. The allegations remain subject to the legal process, and an arrest does not establish guilt.
Meanwhile, the other passengers faced a lengthy interruption to their travel plans.
The United Airlines flight could not resume its journey Saturday night because the crew had reached its permitted duty limits.
The airline confirmed that the flight was delayed overnight due to crew timeout, requiring passengers to continue their journey the following morning.
Flight tracking data cited by USA Today showed that the aircraft departed Las Vegas around 7 a.m. Sunday and arrived in Newark around 3 p.m. Eastern time.
Passengers reached their destination more than eight hours later than originally scheduled.
The Federal Aviation Administration has also confirmed that it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the turnaround.
The agency initially described what occurred aboard the United Airlines flight as a passenger disturbance, while police subsequently confirmed that the arrest involved an alleged terrorism related threat.
The FAA told the Associated Press that more than 1,400 unruly passenger incidents had been reported nationwide so far in 2026. Those reports cover a range of disruptive behavior and do not necessarily involve threats of hijacking.
According to the FAA’s official passenger safety guidance, interfering with flight crew members violates federal law. The agency can propose civil penalties of up to $43,658 per violation in unruly passenger cases, while potential criminal violations can be handled by law enforcement.
The FAA has not announced any enforcement action against Milne, and investigators have not publicly described an actual attempt to take control of Flight 1681.
