Quantcast

United Airlines diverts Boeing 777-200ER to London after mid-flight airframe vibrations

Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush
Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System
Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does
Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
Global Airlines & HiFly Operate 1st Passenger Airbus A380 Flight Between Barcelona And Berlin
American Airlines unveils ritzy new plane suites launching this summer
Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th
Gatwick Airport Faces Potential Strikes
50 New Routes Starting In May 2025
United Airlines diverts Boeing 777-200ER to London after mid-flight airframe vibrations
Policy
Webp scoo
Scott Kirby, chief executive officer | United Airlines

A United Airlines Boeing 777-200ER, operating as flight UA939 from London Heathrow to San Francisco International Airport, diverted back to London on September 28, 2025, after pilots reported airframe vibrations during the flight. The aircraft, registered as N788UA, was cruising at 32,000 feet over northern England when the incident occurred.

According to Flightradar24.com data, the plane diverted less than an hour into its journey. The crew performed a holding pattern and consulted with maintenance and dispatch teams before deciding to shut down Engine 1 and dump fuel prior to landing safely on Heathrow’s Runway 27L. There were 271 passengers and 13 crew members onboard; no injuries were reported. All passengers were accommodated on other United Airlines flights.

Planespotters.net records show that N788UA is a Boeing 777-200ER delivered in 1997 and powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW4090 engines. The aircraft has served United for over 28 years and features a seating configuration of 50 Polaris seats, 24 Premium Plus seats, and 202 economy seats.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

After the incident, the aircraft remained grounded at Heathrow for about 24 hours before being ferried to San Francisco for further inspection. It is scheduled to return to commercial service on October 1, 2025.

The cause of the vibrations has not been confirmed. However, since the crew chose to shut down the number one engine during the event, it suggests a possible engine-related issue. The Pratt & Whitney PW4090 engines used on this model are older and have been out of production for some time.

The PW4000 engine series has experienced notable issues in recent years. Two uncontained engine failures involving United Airlines’ Boeing 777s occurred in February 2018 (flight UA1175) and February 2021 (flight UA328), both en route from mainland US airports to Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The latter incident led authorities to ground Pratt & Whitney-powered Boeing 777 fleets for investigations and modifications. These events are more reflective of United’s large fleet of PW4000-powered aircraft rather than operational practices specific to the airline.

United Airlines maintains regular safety protocols for its aging fleet but acknowledges that mechanical issues can arise as aircraft and engines get older.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The 13th Annual Breast Care International Walk for the Cure took place in Kumasi, Ghana, drawing around 30,000 participants, including survivors, healthcare professionals, students, traditional leaders, and advocates.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025