United Airlines Faces Trouble at San Francisco International Airport

United Airlines is experiencing a tough start to the month, with two incidents taking place at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). On September 1, two planes collided on the runway. Passengers were shaken by the impact, but both aircraft were deplaned, and no injuries were sustained. On September 2, a burning smell forced another United Airlines plane to return to the airport.

These incidents have occurred shortly after the carrier has been under fire for dismissing a flight attendant suffering from AIDS, due to taking too many medical leaves.

Runway Collision Between Two Aircraft

Passengers were jolted as two United Airlines planes collided with each other at San Francisco International Airport. This incident occurred on September 1, at around 21:10 local time.

Denver-bound United Airlines Flight 1871 struck the parked Flight 796 that was headed to Boston as it backed up to a gate. This impact disturbed passengers, with a Reddit user aboard Flight 796 claiming that they were “in the middle of boarding when the plane shook; FAs (flight attendants) told us to deplane, and one of the pilots said we’d been hit.”

Another Reddit user on Flight 1871 explained that “our tug broke and we rolled backwards” – causing the collision.

No passengers were injured, with damage only occurring to one aircraft’s wing. Both planes were deplaned safely, with Flight 1871 being towed back to the gate, and alternative aircraft were arranged for passengers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident and has noted that the collision occurred in “an area where air traffic controllers do not communicate with flights”.

Burning Smell In Cabin To Baltimore

United Airlines Flight 2664 was on its way to Baltimore on September 2, when a “plastic burning smell in the cabin” forced the aircraft to return to SFO.

The plane was carrying 172 passengers (including eight crew members) onboard and was climbing out of San Francisco when the crew reported smoke in the cabin. Operations were stopped, and Flight 2664 landed safely back at the airport 55 minutes after departure.

United Airlines provided a replacement flight, with passengers reaching Baltimore over three hours later than expected.

The cause of the burning smell has not yet been named, and the FAA is also investigating this incident. 

Have you or anyone you know been impacted by these incidents? Let us know.