United Airlines flight forced to turn back to Heathrow as ‘fumes’ fill part of plane after take-off
Flight forced to turn around as fuel got into the plane’s food prep area
- United Airlines flight UA949, bound for San Francisco from London Heathrow, was forced to return to its departure airport shortly after take-off.
- The Boeing 777, carrying 272 passengers and 13 crew, turned back due to "fumes" reported in the aircraft's food preparation area.
- The flight, which had reached as far as Milton Keynes, landed safely back at Heathrow and was met by three fire engines.
- Following the incident, the flight was ultimately cancelled, with the aircraft remaining at Heathrow for an expected departure on Thursday 31 July.
- This incident follows another recent United Airlines diversion on 25 July, where a flight from Washington Dulles to Munich returned due to a mechanical issue.