Passengers on a United Airlines Hawaii flight were surprised but greatly relieved yesterday when they arrived safely back in San Francisco instead of at their destination in Hawaii. That following a mid-Pacific technical problem en route from San Francisco to Kona. This is something we’ve never experienced ourselves, but it certainly had to be scary being over the Pacific with something serious enough to turn around.
Flight 694 was about 90 minutes into the flight when undisclosed mechanical problems resulted in the crew diverting back to San Francisco. Following circling needed to dump fuel, the flight landed safely in San Francisco. Whatever the issue, it was apparently resolved, since the same aircraft is en route to Kona again today.
The 6 year old Boeing 737-900 aircraft originally departed San Francisco at 11:48am and was due to arrive Kona at 1:58pm. After turning around, it instead landed in San Francisco at 2:35pm. The flight resumed on a new aircraft at 5:27pm and arrived Kona at 6:55pm.
Hawaii Mid-Way Point Determines Where Plane Lands.
As you know, a Hawaii flight turnaround for mechanical, medical or other issues, may occur at any point until you reach the mid-way point between the Pacific coast and Hawaii (about 2 1/2 hours). It’s something we always watch for, sometimes worry about, but have not had happen personally. Have you?
Statement from United Airlines.
“The aircraft landed safely, and customers deplaned normally. Customers will continue to Kona on an alternative aircraft with a new crew. We are providing customers with compensation and apologize for the inconvenience.”
Yesterday’s issue followed last week’s emergency landing reported on a Hawaiian Airlines flight due to smoke in the cabin.
Kudos to United Airlines for a safe conclusion.
Image courtesy of FlightAware.com
On a flight from Lihue to San Jose, my wife and I boarded an Alaska flight. We sat down in our assigned seat, got buckled up and waited for the push back. But before the aircraft moved back an attendant came up to our seats. She said to me, “are you Mr. L. ?” I said yes of course. She then said, “we are sorry but you will have to deplane.” I looked at her and asked, “why?” She said, “because the flight is over water, and if we had an emergency we would have nowhere to land.”
What had happened was when we boarded I asked the door flight attendant if my wife could have a small glass of 7-Up as she was not feeling too well.
That was what started the whole thing. So we stayed an extra 3 days, went to a doctor and got a release to fly again.
We didn’t mind as we just went back to her brother’s house in Puhi. And the doctor didn’t cost us anything as we went to a Kaiser facility.
EL
I am in love with Beat of Hawaii !
Mahalo
Denice
Hi Denice.
We’re glad you love our website and so appreciate your saying that!
Aloha — R/J
Yes it did happen to me. About 8 or 9 years ago. After having our lunch, for some reason Hawaiian need to return to Honolulu. We were about 2 hours out, so not at the 1/2 way point yet. They did get another flight for us, and again, we had another lunch. I fly first class and make about 15 to 24 flight a year to Hawaii from the mainland.
so do we know what happened?
what type of compensation do they give you when this occurs?
thank you
Hi Ivan.
Unless someone else chimes in, that’s all we know.
Aloha.
I believe in situations like this the passengers are usually rebooked on other flights to their final destination
We had it happen a few years ago on Hawaiian Airlines leaving San Jose at 7am and they rerouted us to Oakland. It was a nightmare with no communication, no food for what was to be a breakfast flight, and finally being told about 6 pm we had to catch a 5 AM flight the next morning, which caused us to lose one night of our vacation. We had to fight to get accommodations paid for and I think they gave us a $200 voucher for a future flight. Horrible experience, especially because they could have continued our journey through two other airports within an hour from where they diverted us.
Fuel in the ocean? That’s a bummer. At least they were able to keep everybody safe though.
Usually they are high enough up where it all dissipates
Less of a bummer than a fireball in San Mateo perhaps? Jet fuel dumped at 390 is fairly well dispersed by the time it reaches the surface.
Aloha
i am a physician who commutes monthly between Hawaii and California. I carry a medical bag for this.I have performed 12 medical interventions including two actual resuscitations enroute. When I board the plane I always tell the flight attendants what seat I am in and that they can come get me without worrying the whole plane. They are always very grateful and i think a lot of the flight attendants know me by sight now since they greet me before I even introduce myself. I encourage other physicians to do the same
Thank you for your medical expertise and service!
That is awesome, I want to be on your flight! 😁
Good on you my friend. I love benevolent humans. Not enough of us !
I am also a physician who used to travel to Honolulu twice a year to see my mother. I have responded also to medical emergencies on flights, with the last one on Hawaiian Airlines two years ago. In appreciation HA sent me a box of Big Island cookies, along with a note of thanks!
One study I read said that on a domestic flight, there is a 95% chance that there is a trained medical person on board.
Excellent idea sir.
Turned around after 1 1/2 to 2 hours out of Honolulu on an AA 767 headed for DFW that was having electrical problems. They had some problems on the ground that delayed us before we left but they appeared again during the flight with problems on various electrical components on the plane such as the entertainment system and electrical seat controls. The Captain shut all of that stuff off and we landed with my wife in the reclining position in her seat. The Captain also said that we were landing a little heavy because he didn’t fly around to dump fuel and we had the flashing red light vehicles meet us. Landed safely and then the real fun started in trying to get cabs to a hotel and get checked in around 1:30 am.
Wow. They must have really stepped on it the next day. They made it in hour and a half.
There’s a time change in there (2 hour difference I believe). 👍🏻
Let’s be thankful for technology to detect and crews to respond when things go awry!!mike