A man arrested after sending a message to a United flight that suggested he would “hijack” the plane says the text was only banter and that he had no intention of hijacking. The claim is reported by multiple outlets, which say police and airline staff treated the message as a serious threat, prompting the flight to turn back.
According to coverage, a flight attendant noticed the passenger sending messages referring to taking control of the aircraft, after which the man was arrested on suspicion of making threats or conveying false information concerning acts of terrorism. The passenger’s legal position is also highlighted in at least one report, which says his lawyer intends to plead not guilty.
Outlets differ mainly in emphasis: some lead with the passenger’s explanation and planned plea, while others focus on police framing that the incident involved an arrest and a flight diversion or U-turn triggered by the message. Overall, the accounts broadly agree on the core sequence—text message, staff awareness, flight change of course, arrest, and the dispute over intent.
