American Airlines Flight Diverted
American Airlines Boeing 777 during takeoff in Frankfurt! Jan Rosolino/Unsplash

A nosy passenger forced an American Airlines flight to divert after misinterpreting a text message from another traveller. While some passengers were frustrated by the inconvenience, others argued that it is always better to report something suspicious than risk potential danger.

American Airlines flight diverted after bomb scare

An unnamed American Airlines passenger caused panic mid-flight after alerting crew members to a possible bomb threat. Flight 1847 had departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was scheduled to land at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. However, it was forced to make an emergency landing at Isla Verde on Thursday 3 July 2025.

According to authorities, the passenger claimed to have seen a suspicious message on another traveller's phone containing the letters 'RIP', commonly known as the acronym for 'rest in peace'. Interpreting this as a possible threat, the concerned individual immediately reported it to the cabin crew.

The aircraft, an Airbus A321, was diverted back to San Juan as part of standard emergency protocols.

No bomb threat discovered

Upon landing, airport security and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft. The passenger who raised the alarm was also questioned by authorities. No bomb or threat was found on board.

'The flight landed safely at SJU, and law enforcement inspected and cleared the aircraft to re-depart. Safety and security are our top priorities, and we apologise to our customers for the inconvenience,' an American Airlines spokesperson said in a statement.

Text message was about a family bereavement

The passenger who received the text was also interviewed by Puerto Rican authorities. They explained that the message was regarding a relative who had passed away the day before the flight. The traveller was on their way to Dallas to attend to family matters following the loss.

Nelman Nevarez, operations director at Aerostar Airport Holdings, which manages San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, also addressed the incident.

'It was a mix-up that was handled in accordance with safety protocols. There was no real threat to the flight or its passengers,' Nevarez said.

'See something, say something'

While many passengers were understandably irritated by the delay and unexpected landing, safety experts emphasised the importance of remaining vigilant. Since the 9/11 attacks, the TSA has encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity as a crucial layer of aviation security.

Thanks to strict security protocols and public vigilance, there has not been a successful attack on an American passenger aircraft since 2001. The mantra 'If you see something, say something' remains central to preventing potential threats, even if they later turn out to be misunderstandings.

Overreaction or not, experts argue it is always better to err on the side of caution. Passengers are urged to trust their instincts and inform authorities if they see or hear anything unusual during their travels.

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