An illuminated Harry Reid International Airport sign outside the Las Vegas airport at night
Harry Reid International Airport / KSNV News 3

Summary

  • The FAA says United Flight 1681 returned safely to Harry Reid International Airport around 11:05 p.m. local time Saturday, Oct. 24.
  • The Newark-bound Boeing 737 carried 150 passengers and six crew members; local outlets reported no injuries.
  • United said a crew timeout caused an overnight delay, and the flight departed for Newark Sunday morning.
  • The FAA will investigate. The official statement does not describe the passenger’s conduct in detail.

What happened to United Flight 1681?

United Airlines Flight 1681 returned safely to Las Vegas on Saturday, Oct. 24, after its crew reported a passenger disturbance, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The flight was bound for Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and landed back at Harry Reid International Airport around 11:05 p.m. local time. The FAA said it would investigate. [1]

The Boeing 737 was carrying 150 passengers and six crew members, according to FOX5 Las Vegas and KSNV News 3. Both stations reported that no injuries were reported. Airport officials told the outlets that the aircraft turned around shortly after takeoff, while United described the reason as a potential security concern. [2] [3]

An overnight delay before continuing to Newark

United told the local stations that the flight was delayed overnight because of a crew timeout. The airline said it departed for Newark on Sunday morning, Oct. 25. That separates the initial return to Las Vegas from the later scheduling delay: the reported disturbance prompted the return, while crew availability prevented an immediate continuation. [2] [3]

KSNV reported that flight-tracking service FlightAware recorded the flight’s arrival at Newark at 3:06 p.m. Eastern time Sunday. Its report was updated Monday morning. The confirmed outcome of the flight was a safe return followed by a resumed journey, rather than a continuing airborne emergency. [3]

What investigators have not yet explained

The FAA’s preliminary statement does not describe the passenger’s conduct in detail, identify anyone involved or announce a finding about what occurred. It directs questions about additional details to the airline and local authorities. The agency also cautions that information on its incident-statements page is preliminary and may change. [1]

FOX5 said it had sought further information from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Its report did not establish whether anyone was arrested or charged. Those questions, and the outcome of the FAA review, remain unresolved in the cited reporting. Claims about a specific threat should not be treated as an official conclusion while those details remain unconfirmed. [1] [2]

Reporting sources

  1. Federal Aviation Administration · FAA Statements on Aviation Accidents and Incidents: October 24, 2026, Las Vegas ↗2026-10-24
  2. FOX5 Las Vegas · United flight returns to Las Vegas over ‘potential security concern,’ officials say ↗2026-10-25
  3. KSNV News 3 · United flight returns to Las Vegas after reported passenger disturbance ↗2026-10-26

This article follows our editorial standards. To report an error, see our corrections policy.