United passengers endured a double diversion and a 28-hour journey over the Pacific
Flight 870, from Sydney to San Francisco, typically takes around 13 hours.
The Boeing 777 departed Australia on Sunday at around 11:30 a.m. local time, an hour later than scheduled, according to data from Flightradar24.
If passengers were irritated by the delayed takeoff, they had a lot more awaiting them.
Four-and-a-half hours into the journey, the plane turned southeast toward the Pacific island nation of Samoa, per Flightradar24. It landed in the capital, Apia, two hours later.
Travel news site Paddle Your Own Kanoo reported that this diversion was due to a medical emergency. United Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside US working hours.
The plane spent more than three hours on the ground in Samoa before taking off again, but it only traveled as far as Hawaii.
The six-hour flight to Honolulu also saw passengers cross the International Date Line. So when it landed in the state capital around 7:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, this was technically earlier than when the passengers left Australia.
However, they then had to wait another seven hours before they could depart again for the final leg of their journey to San Francisco.
Flight 870 ultimately concluded there at around 10:30 p.m. PT, some 15 hours later than expected.
It looks like United Airlines purposely chose to stop for a second time as the emergency meant the crew would have exceeded their maximum working hours.
As the carrier doesn't typically fly to Samoa, it wouldn't have been able to find a new flight crew there without disrupting other journeys. By contrast, United serves several cities from Honolulu.
This tactic for minimising disruption is not uncommon.
Last month, a British Airways flight from the Bahamas to London also made two stops after a medical emergency.
It first diverted to Canada's remote Gander International Airport, before stopping again in Iceland.
British Airways arranged for the second stop because it was easier to send a replacement crew there than to Canada.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
6 hours ago
- Time Business News
How to Book First Class United Airlines Flights Online
Airline Help is here for you! Call us at 800-594-4991 (OTA) and let our team guide you in booking the perfect premium experience on United Airlines First Class Flights. Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, flying first class means enjoying top comfort, fine dining, and personalized service. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know — from choosing United First Class seats to making a hassle-free reservation. Why Choose United Airlines First Class Flying in United Airlines First Class offers more than just extra legroom. You get: Spacious first class seats United Airlines designs for comfort. Priority check-in and boarding. Access to premium meals and beverages. Additional baggage allowance. Exceptional service from trained crew members. 💡 Travel Tip: If you're booking during peak travel seasons, secure your United Airlines First Class tickets early for better availability. Understanding First Class on United Airlines Before booking, it's important to understand what United Airlines First Class Flights include: Domestic First Class – Available on most U.S. routes with wide reclining seats, two-by-two seating layouts, and premium meal service. – Available on most U.S. routes with wide reclining seats, two-by-two seating layouts, and premium meal service. International First Class (Polaris Business for long-haul) – Includes lie-flat beds, fine dining, and access to United Club or Polaris Lounges. Need help comparing options? Airline Help can simplify the process — call 800-594-4991 (OTA) for guidance. Step-by-Step: How to Book United Airlines First Class Online Step 1: Visit the United Airlines Booking Page Go to the official United Airlines website and enter your departure city, destination, travel dates, and passenger details. Step 2: Choose the 'First' Fare Class In the cabin selection menu, choose 'First' to view United First Class flights for your route. Step 3: Compare Flight Options Review flight times, aircraft types, and seat availability. 💡 Travel Tip: Some older aircraft have standard recliner seats, while newer models have upgraded designs. Step 4: Select Your First Class Seat Pick your seat during booking for the best experience. Window seats in the first row often provide extra privacy. Step 5: Review and Pay Double-check details before making payment. Use loyalty miles if you're a MileagePlus member to save money. How to Find the Best Deals on First Class United Airlines Flights Booking United Airlines First Class tickets doesn't always mean paying full fare. You can: Book early to lock in lower prices. Use MileagePlus miles for upgrades. Look for last-minute upgrade offers at check-in. Check mid-week travel dates for better fares. Need quick assistance? Airline Help is here for you! Call 800-594-4991 (OTA) and we'll help find the most cost-effective first class options. Tips for Selecting United First Class Seats Choosing the right United First Class seats can make your trip even better. For privacy: Window seats are a great choice. Window seats are a great choice. For quick exit: Front-row aisle seats make deplaning faster. Front-row aisle seats make deplaning faster. For couples: Two seats together on one side provide a comfortable shared space. 💡 Travel Tip: Use United's seat map online to see the exact layout before booking. Extra Benefits of United Airlines First Class When you fly in United Airlines First Class Flights, you enjoy several perks: Priority airport services – Skip the long lines with priority check-in and security screening. – Skip the long lines with priority check-in and security screening. Lounge access – On certain routes, relax in United Clubs before your flight. – On certain routes, relax in United Clubs before your flight. Enhanced baggage policy – Two checked bags included at no extra cost. – Two checked bags included at no extra cost. Onboard amenities – Power outlets, premium snacks, and hot meals. Need to add special requests like meal preferences or extra baggage? Call Airline Help at 800-594-4991 (OTA) and our team will assist you. Common Questions About Booking United Airlines First Class 1. Can I upgrade from Economy to First Class? Yes, you can use miles, upgrade certificates, or purchase an upgrade during booking or at check-in. 2. Are meals included? Yes, hot meals and complimentary beverages are served on most United Airlines First Class Flights. 3. Is Wi-Fi available? Most United aircraft offer paid Wi-Fi in first class. How to Save on United First Class Tickets Flying first class doesn't have to cost a fortune. Try these strategies: Book during sales – United often runs seasonal promotions. – United often runs seasonal promotions. Join MileagePlus – Earn miles with every trip and redeem them for United Airlines First Class tickets. – Earn miles with every trip and redeem them for United Airlines First Class tickets. Travel during off-peak hours – Early morning or late evening flights tend to be cheaper. 💡 Travel Tip: Tuesday and Wednesday bookings often offer better prices than weekends. Booking Through Airline Help While booking directly online is an option, using a trusted service like Airline Help can make the process easier. We can: Find the best fares on United Airlines First Class Flights. Suggest the best United First Class seats for your comfort. Assist with upgrades and special requests. Handle changes and cancellations if needed. 📞 Call Airline Help at 800-594-4991 (OTA) for a smooth and stress-free booking experience. Final Thoughts Flying in United Airlines First Class means starting your journey with comfort, convenience, and luxury. From spacious first class seats United Airlines offers to priority airport services, the experience is designed to make your trip enjoyable from start to finish. Whether you're booking a domestic short hop or a long-haul international route, planning ahead will help you secure the best seat and price. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
How United Airlines Could Be The Biggest Winner From Spirit's Crisis
On August 12, 2025, airline stocks experienced a surge following Spirit Airlines' filing of a "going-concern" warning with the SEC, raising concerns about its capacity to sustain operations over the next 12 months. This predicament, occurring just five months after the airline's emergence from bankruptcy, initiated a rally predominantly led by United Airlines stock (NASDAQ: UAL), which saw a 10% increase. American Airlines and JetBlue also recorded substantial increases of 12%, while Delta Air Lines, Alaska Air, and Southwest all rose as well. However, if you are looking for a less volatile option compared to holding an individual stock, you might want to consider the High Quality Portfolio, which has consistently outperformed its benchmark—a combination of the S&P 500, Russell, and S&P midcap index—achieving returns that surpass 91% since its inception. Spirit Airlines' Financial Crisis Spirit's troubles arise from a convergence of challenges including low domestic leisure travel demand and high capacity, which have jointly exerted severe pricing pressure. The airline disclosed a net loss of $245.8 million for the second quarter, an increase from $192.9 million during the same timeframe last year. The situation is critical due to various overlapping factors: How United Airlines and Others Benefit Should Spirit exit the market, United Airlines could see significant benefits. United could lease Spirit's gates at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, an essential move for enhancing its footprint in Florida. This strategic acquisition would enable United to create a competitive hub for its Latin American routes, challenging American Airlines' dominance from its Miami hub and improving connectivity in the lucrative South Florida market. Furthermore, United could benefit from leasing Spirit's gates at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where gate space is both precious and scarce. The potential exit of Spirit would transform the airline industry by eliminating an ultra-low-cost competitor, which could: Outlook While the market remains hopeful about decreased competition and possible fare hikes, the ultimate resolution of the situation is still uncertain. Spirit may still secure funding or identify a merger partner. Nevertheless, if it does halt operations, the advantages for major carriers such as United could be significant, though a major exit could also draw regulatory scrutiny regarding market concentration. Additionally, check out – Buy or Sell UAL Stock? The immediate rally in stocks for United and other airlines reflects investor confidence in their capability to leverage Spirit's difficulties. However, it is crucial to be aware of the considerable risks involved when investing in a single, or a limited number of stocks. Take into account the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio which, comprising 30 stocks, has a proven history of comfortably outperforming the S&P 500 over the past 4-year period. Why is that? Collectively, HQ Portfolio stocks delivered better returns with lower risk compared to the benchmark index; providing a steadier ride as indicated in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Airline Stocks Take Flight, Rising Above Cloudy Early-Year Outlooks
Airline-stock investors endured a bumpy ride to start the year. Things are a bit smoother now. Shares of United Airlines (UAL), Delta Air Lines (DAL), American Airlines Group (AAL), Alaska Air Group (ALK), and JetBlue Airways (JBLU) all soared on Tuesday. The US Global Jets exchange-traded fund (JETS) also climbed, and is now roughly flat year-to-date after declining through the spring. The July consumer price report released early Tuesday helped carriers stick the landing. It showed airfares rose 4% in last month, breaking a streak of declines. Jet fuel prices, meanwhile, have fallen to start August. Trade tensions, declining consumer confidence, weather conditions, and general uncertainty were cited as headwinds for the airline industry earlier in the year; the International Air Transport Association in June, trimmed its annual net profit estimate for the sector. The industry outlook now looks more stable, with carriers having mostly restored their earnings guidance after pulling the forecasts earlier this year. There are outliers in the group. Spirit Airlines (FLYY), which emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March, on Monday said that the company continues to be affected by "adverse market conditions," including weak domestic leisure travel in the second quarter and a "challenging" price environment, according to a company filing. Spirit Airlines' management also issued a "going concern" warning in the filing, saying they had "substantial doubt" in the airline's ability to continue operating within the next 12 months. Its stock was down 40% on Tuesday. Read the original article on Investopedia
