United Flight UA1122 Returns to Newark After Mid-Atlantic U-Turn
NEWARK, NJ – United Airlines flight UA1122, en route to Cape Town, South Africa, made a U-turn over the Atlantic Ocean and is returning to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) after approximately seven hours in the air. the Boeing 787-9, with registration number N24988, departed Newark at 9:55 PM EST on november 24th, over an hour later than its scheduled 8:35 PM departure.
The flight, initially planned as a 14-hour journey, climbed to 36,000 feet before the crew elected to return to newark more than three hours into the flight. United Airlines has confirmed to AIRLIVE that the aircraft is indeed returning to its origin airport. The reason for the return has not yet been disclosed.
Passengers are now expected to resume their journey to Cape Town around 5:40 AM on Monday, resulting in a delay exceeding nine hours.
UPDATE #1: Flight UA1122 has begun its descent to EWR.
UPDATE #2: The flight touched down at Newark Liberty International Airport almost seven hours after takeoff.
UPDATE #3: The aircraft has taxied to Terminal C.