Passenger Arrested for Alleged Hijacking Threat on United Flight

A United Airlines flight bound for Newark returned to Las Vegas Saturday night after a passenger, identified as 25-year-old Dante Milne, allegedly sent messages threatening to hijack the aircraft.

According to a criminal complaint, Milne typed messages stating he was “gonna hijack this” and would “crash ur row only.” The exact method of transmission for these messages was not specified.

The incident occurred aboard United Airlines Flight 1681, which departed from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas with 150 passengers and six crew members. Shortly after takeoff, a flight attendant observed Milne typing the concerning messages. Adhering to protocol, the crew member alerted the cockpit, prompting the flight deck to initiate lockdown procedures.

Air traffic control audio recordings captured the pilot informing controllers of the situation and the decision to turn back to Las Vegas. "The flight attendant saw him texting that he was going to hijack the aircraft. They called me. We went into lockdown, and we returned to Vegas," the pilot stated.

When asked by air traffic controllers if the suspect had been restrained, the pilot indicated that Milne was not restrained as he was unaware his messages had been seen by the crew.

Flight-tracking data shows the aircraft was in the air for less than an hour before landing safely back at Harry Reid International Airport at approximately 11:05 p.m. local time. Law enforcement officers met the plane on the tarmac and detained Milne without incident.

All passengers were evacuated, and a thorough security inspection was conducted on the Boeing 737. No injuries were reported during the event.

Due to the diversion, the flight crew exceeded their federally mandated operating hours. Consequently, the 149 remaining passengers were accommodated in Las Vegas overnight and departed on a rescheduled flight Sunday morning.

Milne was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas on felony charges of making threats or conveying false information regarding an act of terrorism. Court records indicate he subsequently posted a $10,000 bond and was released pending a court appearance.

This charge carries a potential prison sentence of one to 20 years under Nevada statute. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the incident. The agency noted it has recorded over 1,400 unruly passenger incidents on commercial flights in 2026.