American Airlines Pilot Flies Wrong 787 Aircraft to Italy

FORT WORTH- An unexpected aircraft swap led American Airlines (AA) Flight AA780 from Philadelphia (PHL) to Naples (NAP) to divert mid-air after realizing the Boeing 787-9 it was operating wasn’t certified to land at Naples Airport.

On June 2, 2025, the transatlantic flight, normally operated by a Boeing 787-8, had been upgraded to a larger 787-9 (registration N837AN) for operational reasons. However, this seemingly minor change had major consequences mid-descent.

Photo: By Alan Wilson from Peterborough, Cambs, UK – Boeing 787-8 ‘N806AA’ American Airlines, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81067029

American Airlines 787-9 Diverts to Rome

American Airlines Flight AA780 departed Philadelphia (PHL) at 7:42 PM and crossed the Atlantic without incident.

But as the aircraft began its descent into Naples (NAP), the crew altered course and redirected the flight to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), approximately 124 miles away from its intended destination.

The reason wasn’t weather-related, as conditions in Naples were clear and no other flights had diverted.

According to a scoop by aviation source @xJonNYC and reported by OMAAT, the Boeing 787-9 variant used that day was not authorized to land at Naples Airport.

Photo: N813AN | N813AN American Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Ma… | Flickr

Why the 787-9 Was Restricted

The Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 are similar, but key differences likely triggered the restriction. The 787-9 is slightly longer, with a higher maximum takeoff weight and different performance characteristics.

Naples’ airport (NAP), nestled in a challenging terrain, may have runway length, taxiway, or apron limitations that permit the 787-8 but not the 787-9.

Such restrictions are often set by local aviation authorities to ensure safety and operational feasibility.

While American likely overlooked this during the swap, the incident underscores the importance of verifying aircraft compatibility with destination airports.

Photo: By Glenn Beltz from Goleta, USA – DSC_0787, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44949418

American Airlines’ Quick Response

After the unscheduled landing in Rome, American Airlines faced the logistical challenge of repositioning aircraft and crew.

The airline already operated a Rome–Chicago (ORD) route using a 787-8, allowing them to make a strategic swap.

The diverted 787-9 was reassigned to the Rome–Chicago service, freeing up a 787-8 (registration N880BJ) for the Naples flight.

However, due to crew duty hour limitations, the airline couldn’t immediately continue the journey.

The 787-8 and its crew overnighted in Rome and completed the short 38-minute hop to Naples the next day, June 4. The aircraft then returned to Philadelphia later that afternoon.

It remains unclear whether the affected passengers were flown from Rome to Naples the following day or re-accommodated via other methods, such as trains or alternate flights.

Photo: File: American Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (N805AN) at LAX (22935779625).jpg – Wikimedia Commons

Operational Oversight

The incident highlights the complexity of international flight operations and aircraft certifications.

Although the 787-9 is only marginally larger than the 787-8, these differences can impact airport compatibility, especially in geographically constrained regions like Naples.

Whether the oversight stemmed from a breakdown in internal communications or was triggered by nuanced local regulations, the case underscores the importance of aligning aircraft assignments with airport operational clearances.

American Airlines’ prompt adaptation minimized overall disruption, but the root cause raises questions about procedural checks in aircraft dispatching.

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.

Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News

The post American Airlines Pilot Flies Wrong 787 Aircraft to Italy appeared first on Aviation A2Z.