A United Airlines Boeing 737-700, flight UA-1269, experienced a cabin pressure issue shortly after departing from Albuquerque International Sunport Airport in New Mexico. The incident occurred as the aircraft was climbing past 28,000 feet. The pilots decided to halt their ascent and return to Albuquerque due to the near-deployment of oxygen masks for passengers.
The aircraft, registered as N13720, was en route to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. After returning to the terminal approximately an hour later, it underwent inspection and returned to service after 21 hours. Passengers were transferred to a replacement Boeing 737-900 and arrived in Chicago six hours late.
Earlier this month, a similar pressurization issue affected an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900ER on June 3, causing it to return to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport shortly after takeoff. This aircraft was headed for Hawaii.