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United Airlines flight to Spain returns to U.S. after Bluetooth device is labeled a "certain four-letter word"
Updated on: June 1, 2026 / 5:14 PM EDT / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- United Airlines flight UA236 to Spain returned to Newark after a security threat.
- The threat was reportedly linked to a Bluetooth device named a "certain four-letter word".
- The flight carried 190 passengers and 12 crew members on a Boeing 767.
- Passengers were evacuated, the aircraft was swept by police, and passengers were re-screened.
- A replacement flight departed Sunday morning, landing in Palma later that day.
- The FAA stated the return was due to a "passenger disturbance" and noted over 640 unruly passenger incidents in 2026.