A transatlantic flight carrying nearly 200 passengers never reached its European destination on schedule after a Bluetooth network broadcasting the name "BOMB" was discovered on board, prompting a full return to its origin airport. United Airlines Flight 236, a Boeing 767 with 190 passengers and 12 crew members, departed from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey at 5:43 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, bound for Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
"Who tf labels their Bluetooth network ‘BOMB’ what kind of sick joke is this 😭." — Jordan Moore, Passenger
Hours into the journey, the aircraft abruptly reversed course and headed back to Newark, a diversion confirmed by flight tracking data from FlightAware. United Airlines issued an official statement attributing the unexpected turnaround to a "potential security concern."
The unfolding situation was documented by passenger Jordan Moore, who later shared her account on TikTok. Moore described the moment another passenger, during takeoff, identified an active Bluetooth network broadcasting under the name "BOMB." This discovery occurred despite an earlier public announcement from the flight crew requesting all passengers to disable their Bluetooth connections. Moore noted, "This network was discovered by a passenger during takeoff, and flight staff was notified immediately."
Following the initial report, a second announcement was made by the crew, reiterating the request for all Bluetooth devices to be shut down. However, according to Moore, the network signal persisted and remained visible. As the situation escalated, Moore wrote that "the situation was escalated up the chain of command," ultimately leading to the decision to turn the plane around and return to Newark. Crew members reportedly informed passengers that they personally suspected the network name was, in Moore's words, "a ‘selfish joke’," but emphasized that the potential threat still necessitated a full security response. Moore expressed her frustration in her post, asking, "Who tf labels their Bluetooth network ‘BOMB’ what kind of sick joke is this 😭."
Upon the aircraft's return to Newark, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that the plane landed without incident. Once all passengers had disembarked, Port Authority police, accompanied by K9 units, conducted a comprehensive sweep of the entire aircraft. Federal agencies were subsequently engaged in the security process. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) undertook a re-screening of every passenger, crew member, and their belongings before anyone was permitted to re-board the flight.
Following the thorough sweep and re-screening procedures, the plane was declared clear and safe for flight. FlightAware records indicate that the flight departed for a second time at 2:19 a.m. the following morning, operating with a fresh crew, as confirmed by United Airlines. The flight eventually reached its destination of Palma de Mallorca, albeit several hours behind its original schedule. The incident left passengers with a memorable and unusual story of their transatlantic journey. The event highlights the stringent security protocols in place for air travel and the serious implications of any perceived threat, regardless of its origin or intent.
