An ANA flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo turned around yesterday, four hours into the flight, after a potential stowaway was found onboard.
Interestingly, play-by-play coverage was brought to us by Chrissy Teigen, a supermodel onboard (who View from the Wing notes is also an aspiring airline blogger).
a flying first for me: 4 hours into an 11 hour flight and we are turning around because we have a passenger who isn’t supposed to be on this plane. Why…why do we all gotta go back, I do not know
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) December 27, 2017
That’s a great question. Did this “stowaway” constitute a threat? How did he get onboard in the first place?
They keep saying the person had a United ticket. We are on ANA. So basically the boarding pass scanner is just a beedoop machine that makes beedoop noises that register to nowhere
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) December 27, 2017
Turns out there was no stowaway. Perhaps even more concerning, the other passenger appeared to have a United-issued ticket for a United Airlines flight. Somehow, he got through security in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, was able to board the ANA-operated flight, sat down in a seat that was not occupied, and managed to evade the FA’s passenger count prior to takeoff.
ANA boarding pass machines pic.twitter.com/nmuqxZLIVG
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) December 27, 2017
How is this possible? Well, for starters, both ANA and United have a flight to Tokyo Narita departing at precisely the same time, 10:45a:
Second, ANA and United are not just Star Alliance partners, but codeshare and joint-vetnure (JV) partners. Consequently, I’m surprised more people do not make the same mistake. Still, isn’t that what a boarding pass reader is for? It seems Teigen’s comment above is spot-on.
So the flight returned to LAX, landing 8hrs and 20min after takeoff.
LAX —> LAX flight complete. Flight time, 8 hours and 20 minutes.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) December 27, 2017
ANA Apologies
ANA apologized, stating:
During the flight, the cabin crew became aware that one of the passengers boarded the incorrect flight and notified the pilot. As part of the airline’s security procedure, the pilot in command decided to return to the originating airport, where the passenger was disembarked. ANA is researching the situation currently to determine how the passenger boarded the flight. ANA would like to express its apologies to the passengers for the inconvenience.
Ok, but I share the sentiment:
Why did we all get punished for this one person’s mistake? Why not just land in Tokyo and send the other person back? How is this the better idea, you ask? We all have the same questions.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) December 27, 2017
Ironically, the LAX-NRT route is “metal neutral” for United and ANA, meaning the two essentially sell seats on each other’s flights and split the revenue. Thus, it seems all the more mind-boggling why the aircraft had to turn around.
The FBI met the plane, interviewed the passenger, and confirmed it was just an honest mistake. Passengers were reloaded and the plane took off again.
There is a 20 minute interview before we can get off the plane!! This is my dream. Police! Talk to me talk to me
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) December 27, 2017
But not before the police put Tiegen (and others) into a “secure” room with Real Housewives playing while conducting their investigation.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) December 27, 2017
Her last update–
Taking off!!! Please don’t be the same menu please don’t be the same menu
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) December 27, 2017
top image: Disney / FLICKR
“Somehow, he got through security in the Tom Bradley International Terminal …”
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There’s now an airside connection between TBIT and T7 (UA flights), albeit a long convoluted walk. So the pax could have cleared security at T7.
Why on earth would two airlines who codeshare and JV both have a flight on exactly the same time and exactly the same route?? Would it not make sense for one airline to upguage their aircraft and just do one? This makes no sense.
Speaking from a Pilots perspective I would NOT have wanted to turn around. I would have been investigating who the person was and certainly we should have been able to determine it was a ticketed pax who had cleared security and therefore did not present an imminent threat.
Another factor should have been the cost of the diversion. It would have been far better for ANA to have had to fly this guy back to LAX free (if that is what was actually required) then to divert back.
I also have to wonder about the decision to return to LAX. 4 hours out of LA bound for NRT I can’t imagine a route where LAX was the closest possible airport. Because if they are truly looking at this guy as a threat you don’t divert to point of origin you divert to nearest suitable airport.
All in all I’d say ANA and the crew handled this very poorly.
At LAX anyone can clear security at any terminal, TBIT to 7, since they are all connected. Many times when American at T4 has long lines, pre-Pre Check, I’ll clear at TBIT instead, or vice versa.
I’m aware of that…I’m just surprised the kids figured it out.
You’re a pilot…and you rush to judgement with ZERO confirmation of the entire circumstances? Wow. Hope you never have an accident and face the same treatment.
@James I have well more than zero confirmation.
We have flight tracker showing the airline overflew SFO just to name one example.
We have ANA’s statement which along with the blog posts essentially confirm that this was a ticketed pax on the wrong flight.
Plus I have my own years of experience. I’ve hardly rushed to judgement based on zero facts.
We have the fact that the basic details are not in dispute.