United Airlines flight returns to Newark after Bluetooth “BOMB” triggers security alert

A United Airlines Boeing 767 carrying 190 passengers and 12 crew departed Newark Liberty International Airport for Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on the evening of 30 May 2026. About an hour into the trans‑Atlantic crossing, cabin crew announced that all Bluetooth devices must be switched off. A passenger’s Bluetooth speaker, named “BOMB,” continued to broadcast its name, appearing on nearby devices and prompting a security alarm.

After multiple warnings, the airline consulted its headquarters and, following protocol, decided to turn the aircraft around. The flight returned to Newark, landing at 21:37 local time after 4 hours 24 minutes airborne. Port Authority police, TSA and Customs and Border Protection inspected the aircraft and evacuated the passengers for rescreening. No explosive device was found; the “BOMB” label belonged to a 16‑year‑old’s Bluetooth speaker. Passengers were later re‑boarded on a replacement flight that arrived in Palma later that afternoon. The incident follows several recent United Airlines security disruptions and is under FBI investigation.