• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  United Airlines  >  United 787-9 Diverts To Midway Atoll
United Airlines

United 787-9 Diverts To Midway Atoll

Matthew Klint Posted onApril 27, 2021April 27, 2021 16 Comments

A United Airlines Boeing 787-9 traveling with cargo from Guam to Los Angeles made an unscheduled stop on Midway Atoll after a mechanical issue developed.

United 787-9 Diverts To Midway Atoll

The Dreamliner was operating a cargo-only segment from GUM to LAX to deliver much-needed supplies to the U.S. island territory. However, during the flight, UA2781 on April 16th, a technical problem developed and the flight crew opted to divert to Midway Atoll (MDY – also called Midway Island, not to be confused with Chicago Midway Airport, designated by the code MDW).

Midway Atoll is a small, circular atoll roughly equidistant between North America and Asia, about 1,310 miles from Honolulu. It is home to the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and hosts a staff of about 40 from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

During World War II, it was used as a strategic Pacific base in the war against Japan. The Battle of Midway, which took place in June 1942, marked a turning point in the war after U.S. forces defended the atoll from invasion and sunk four Japanese carriers and one cruiser.

Today, there is no regularly scheduled air service to the island. Tourism was once possible, but suspended long before the current pandemic due to budget cuts. Others have joked the only practical way to get there is to hope for an aircraft diversion.

That was the case for this United crew. After landing in Midway, a team of mechanics was dispatched from Honolulu (HNL). The issue was determined to be a faulty shoulder heater and lower recirculating fan. After deactivating the fans and heaters, the aircraft was ferried to Los Angeles via Honolulu.

The 787 has been fixed and is now back in service.

During the layover, the crew took in both World War II battle sites and nature.

CONCLUSION

This was not United’s first diversion to Midway Atoll. In June 2014 a 777 with passengers diverted to Midway while traveling enroute from Honolulu to Guam. The island even keeps a set of airstairs handy precisely for these occasions.

image: United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Previous Article Hot Deal: TAP Air Portugal Business Class 999USD R/T USA To Europe (But I’m Not Booking…)
Next Article Black Woman Claims She Was Booted Off Southwest Flight Due To Racist Flight Attendant, Not Mask Violation

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • United Airlines Cuts Los Angeles – Tokyo Narita Route Ahead Of Haneda Launch

    February 6, 2023
  • United Airlines Steakhouse Cheeseburger

    Steakhouse Cheeseburger On United Airlines

    February 4, 2023
  • United Airlines Newark Collision

    United Airlines 787-9 Collides With 757-200 At Newark Airport

    February 3, 2023

16 Comments

  1. Jamieo Reply
    April 27, 2021 at 10:25 am

    Some years ago Aloha Airlines had a weekly flight to Midway from HNL. I had the privilege of going there and the funky Midway Atoll passport stamp is one of my prized possessions.

  2. Dan Reply
    April 27, 2021 at 10:33 am

    Hi Matthew. What was the flight number and date? Was this UA2781 on April 16?

    If so – wasn’t the flight GUM to LAX, and not LAX to GUM, when the diversion happened?

    https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/2038144-ua-2781-cargo-only-lax-gum-diverts-midway-atoll-16-april-2021-a.html

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      April 27, 2021 at 10:49 am

      Dan, you’re correct. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

  3. Stuart Reply
    April 27, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    This is my dream diversion. Gander is so over.

  4. James Reply
    April 27, 2021 at 12:47 pm

    What’s up with the back button being disabled on this site lately?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      April 27, 2021 at 12:49 pm

      Sorry, we are working on it. And the “reply” function as well.

  5. Logos Reply
    April 27, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    My dream diversion & passport stamp would have to be Chagos BIOT.

  6. derek Reply
    April 27, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    Often, I am in such a hurry and a tight schedule that I do not want diversion. However, I do someday want to have a non-emergency emergency (true emergency means you might die) where the plane lands in Gander, Midway, Wake Island, St. Helena, Diego Garcia, etc. Fargo, ND is another one so that I can potentially step foot on my 50th US state.

    I was once on a flight that diverted to Keflavik. Because of that, I later flew there to see more than the airport. When I was in Keflavik on a diversion, I successfully negotiated to be the only passenger let off to shop. I did so with the Captain. I don’t know how I pull that one off. It was Delta. I was only Gold Medallion status.

  7. Max Gross Reply
    April 27, 2021 at 4:45 pm

    “…and sunk (sic) four Japanese carriers…” Huh?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      April 27, 2021 at 4:50 pm

      Boats

  8. Keoki Reply
    April 28, 2021 at 11:02 pm

    Critical details not widely known (yet) is that the runway and PAPI lights were inoperable (2am), and the pilots had to climb out of the jet without any assistance. It took four hours of emails and phone calls to reach anyone on the island. The ETOPS airport is supposed to be available at all times.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      April 29, 2021 at 12:15 am

      Very interesting. What is your source? Do you have more details you can share with me?

    • Walter Brill Reply
      December 1, 2022 at 10:24 am

      Hello,

      Although it’s true that we waited over 4 hours for assistance from the ground staff at Midway, we did not climb out of the aircraft on our own. When the very hospitable ground staff did realize we were on the atoll, they provided us with air stairs, albeit approximately 2 feet short of the height required for the B-787. We spent 2 days on Midway, and it was a wonderful experience. It is my understanding that United Air Lines has now equipped PMDY with satellite phones, in order to better facilitate reaching the island should any future diversion become necessary.

      Walter J. Brill
      United Air Lines B-787 F/O

  9. Mark Reply
    May 13, 2021 at 10:25 pm

    In response to KeokiWhat would you expect from a bunch of tree huggers out there on Midway Atoll tasked with the responsibility of keeping an ETOPS landing strip up to standards. You will wake up one morning and Chinese flight controllers will be directing CCP landing forces, completely overwhelming the US sacred battlefield without any protest or oposition. Let that sink in for awhile.

  10. Mark Reply
    May 13, 2021 at 10:27 pm

    In response to Keoki. What would you expect from a bunch of tree huggers out there on Midway Atoll tasked with the responsibility of keeping an ETOPS landing strip up to standards. You will wake up one morning and Chinese flight controllers will be directing CCP landing forces, completely overwhelming the US sacred battlefield without any protest or oposition. Let that sink in for awhile.

  11. Matt Perry Reply
    May 21, 2021 at 5:20 pm

    Check out the Spring 2021 Newsletter

    https://www.immf-midway.com/newsletter.html

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • 11 Hours In KLM 787-10 Economy Class… February 7, 2023
  • Delta Promises Louis Vuitton Bag Won’t Get Damaged. It Does. February 7, 2023
  • Petra Photo Essay
    Photo Essay: The Ancient City Of Petra, Jordan February 7, 2023
  • United Airlines Cuts Los Angeles – Tokyo Narita Route Ahead Of Haneda Launch February 6, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • Hotel Worker entered room
    Woman Demands $3,000 In Compensation After Hotel Worker Walked Into Her Room At Midnight January 24, 2023
  • United Airlines 2023 Status Extension
    United Airlines Quietly Extends MileagePlus Premier Status…Again January 14, 2023
  • United Airlines Polaris Meal Service: The Sad State Of Affairs January 27, 2023

Archives

February 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  
« Jan    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.