United 777 Pilots Makes Emergency Landing at London Heathrow

CHICAGO- A United Airlines (UA) flight bound for San Francisco (SFO) was forced to make an emergency landing at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) following reports of smoke inside the cabin.

The Boeing 777-200 aircraft, operating as Flight UA949, aborted its transatlantic journey shortly after takeoff when fumes were detected in the galley area.

Photo: Cado Photo

United Airlines Emergency Landing

Flight UA949 took off from Heathrow Airport (LHR) at approximately 12:23 PM local time en route to San Francisco.

Shortly after departure, the aircraft reached an altitude of around 15,000 feet before making an emergency landing near Milton Keynes.

According to United Airlines, the flight was diverted back to its origin due to the presence of fumes in the aircraft’s galley, prompting immediate safety measures.

Upon landing, emergency services, including fire and police crews, met the plane on the taxiway. The aircraft was escorted to the gate by three fire engines as a precautionary measure.

Passengers and crew, totaling 272 and 13 respectively, disembarked safely. No injuries were reported.

Heathrow Airport confirmed that the landing occurred without incident and stated that broader airport operations were not affected by the emergency event.

Photo: Athul Suresh/ An Airsidean

Official Statements

The aircraft involved, a Boeing 777-200, reportedly declared a general emergency signal — a precautionary code used for various in-flight issues, including technical concerns or medical incidents.

Jerry Dyer, a well-known aviation commentator from Big Jet TV who was present at the time, noted that there was no visible smoke during landing.

He also praised the prompt and professional response of airport and airline personnel.

United Airlines issued an apology to affected passengers on its website, stating, “Our maintenance team needs to evaluate a technical issue on your plane before we depart again.” In a formal statement, the airline added that it is working to rebook passengers on alternate flights.

According to Daily Mail, this same aircraft experienced another in-flight issue just a week earlier while approaching San Francisco, reportedly due to an engine-related emergency.

Photo: Alexander Lang | Flickr

Passenger Safety

Despite the technical issue, United Airlines emphasized that safety remains its top priority. The airline confirmed that passengers deplaned normally and that it is offering support to ensure their continued travel to final destinations.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous onboard safety protocols and quick-response emergency services, particularly at major international hubs such as London Heathrow.

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