United Airlines reportedly makes mid-air U-turn after pilot forgets passport—netizens roast the $15 apology coupon

A United Airlines plane (UA198) was forced to turn around after the pilot realized mid-flight that they had left their passport behind. The flight was traveling from Los Angeles to Shanghai when it was forced to head back, leaving 257 passengers and 13 crew members stranded for six hours.

As per the travel website View From The Wing, passengers were offered a $15 meal voucher as a gesture of goodwill for the trouble. Passengers on board were shown the following message on their phones, as cited by The Independent:

"Your flight diverted to San Francisco due to an unexpected crew-related issue requiring a new crew. Once they arrive, we’ll get you back on your way to Shanghai as soon as possible. We sincerely apologize for this disruption and appreciate your patience.”

Social media is having a field day with this situation. Many are roasting United Airlines for offering just a $15 food coupon after passengers lost six hours due to the pilot's mistake.

Some are in disbelief, wondering how, of all people, the pilot managed to leave their passport behind. Users are joking around, ridiculing United Airlines for what they perceive as laughable compensation, and turning the entire ordeal into a comedy show online.

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Social media reacts as a United Airlines flight turns around because the pilot left their passport behind

Users teased United Airlines, with some commenting that $15 is not even close to being sufficient to compensate for the six-hour flight delay caused by the pilot’s error.

Some laughed, calling the payment "minimum wage" and teasing United Airlines for settling on such a low amount. Others went so far as to comment that $15 wouldn't even cover half a bottle of water at the airport.

A user stated:

"$15 coupon? LOL. Let me lock in real quick."

Another user @yipfella added:

"Imagine losing 4 hours of your life just for a $15 airport sandwich. This airline gotta be trolling."

A user @JKLM0521 stated:

"$15 coupon for 2 hours wasted? That’s below minimum wage."

One user @Bonniehartxo commented:

"A whole U-turn for a passport and they think $15 is gonna heal that pain?? Be so fr 💀"

A user @Tazz53188 poked fun, saying:

"Sorry we wasted your day. Here's a coupon for half off a bottle of water."

Another user posted a crazy story about United Airlines, explaining that their dad once saved an entire flight by detecting a mistake—all he received as a reward was a pin. Others joked that it was surprising they even got anything this time, as the airline never pays out in those situations.

A user @AbigailJoyFloat went on to say:

"Once my dad saved the entire flight when he noticed there was oil dumping from the plane’s wing (he was looking out the window as people were boarding)…they offered him a pin."

Another user @royal_bobby24 quipped:

"At least they got something in return other than nothing 😭"

A netizen @Infosec_4_all pointed out:

"Sounds like United Airlines. I'm surprised they even got the coupon."

At the same time, users were in shock that, of all people, the pilot forgot their passport. Some said this couldn't be true, while others highlighted that real life has become a parody of itself.

A user @doofinc_ mentioned:

"how does the PILOT of all people forget their passport 😭😭"

Mocking the situation, a user @Hack_asi wrote:

"hold on guys I forgot my wallet"

Another user @dogeinquirer said:

"At this point, real life is just a parody of itself."

A user @ShawnTrooper said:

"You can’t be serious 🤣

Meanwhile, United Airlines has issued an apology for the inconvenience caused.

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