United Airlines Flight Diverts to London After Emergency Declaration

A United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport declared an emergency and diverted to London Heathrow on Friday. The plane, a 28-year-old Boeing 767-322ER (registration N664UA), departed Nice Côte d’Azur Airport at 13:45 CEST for a nine-hour crossing.

After reaching its cruising altitude of 32,000 feet over mainland France, the aircraft altered course while over the English Channel. Pilots transmitted a general emergency code Squawk 7700 on their transponder and initiated a rapid descent toward the UK.

Air traffic controllers prioritized the widebody jet for an immediate diversion to London Heathrow, where emergency response crews were put on standby. The plane touched down safely on runway 27L at 15:03 BST and was parked on a remote stand by 15:14 BST.