Flight from Newark to Los Angeles diverted to Chicago due to bomb threat
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- A United Airlines flight headed from New Jersey to Los Angeles was forced to make an emergency landing in Chicago Wednesday morning due to a bomb threat, according to passengers and local media reports.
United 1533, a Boeing 787, departed Newark Liberty International Airport just after 6 a.m.
Rashad Robinson, a passenger on the flight, posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the bomb threat was found written on a note in a lavatory. The flight diverted to Chicago O'Hare International Airport where it landed safely at 7:44 a.m. local time and passengers were removed from the jet.
According to CBS2 News in Chicago, a bomb-sniffing K-9 found a suspicious bag connected to the note, and a robot was deployed to move it away. Police were questioning the passenger who checked the bag, CBS2 reported.
United Airlines shared very limited information in a statement to Nexstar's KTLA 5 News.
"United flight 1533 diverted to Chicago this morning due to a potential security concern," the airline said. "The flight landed safely and met local law enforcement upon arrival. Customers deplaned and we expect the flight to depart for Los Angeles later this afternoon."