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U.S. News
04 July 2025

American Airlines Flight Diverted After Text Misinterpreted

A condolence message reading “R.I.P.” sparked a midair security scare, leading to a flight’s return to San Juan before authorities confirmed no threat.

On the morning of July 3, 2025, American Airlines flight 1847 took off from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, bound for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The Airbus A321, registered as N902AA, carried 193 passengers onboard. However, what should have been a routine flight soon turned into a bizarre episode that forced the plane to return to its origin just over 30 minutes after departure.

Approximately 11 minutes after takeoff, while climbing to an altitude of just over 16,000 feet, an unusual alarm was triggered. A passenger, who had been observing the phone screen of their seatmate, noticed a text message containing the acronym "R.I.P."—commonly understood as "Rest in Peace." Misinterpreting this message as a potential threat to the flight, the concerned traveler alerted a flight attendant. This set off a chain of events that led the crew to treat the situation with utmost seriousness.

Within minutes, the flight crew initiated emergency protocols. The pilot decided to turn the aircraft around and divert back to San Juan, prioritizing passenger safety above all else. The plane touched down safely at Isla Verde Airport at 6:58 AM, just over half an hour after its initial departure.

Upon landing, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and local airport security personnel boarded the aircraft. They conducted thorough inspections and interviewed the passengers involved, aiming to verify the legitimacy of the reported threat. Meanwhile, the passenger who had received the "R.I.P." text message was questioned. They explained that the message was a condolence from a family member, sent after the death of a close relative on July 2, 2025—the day before the flight.

Félix Alvarado, the deputy director of security at Aerostar, the airport operator, confirmed that the passenger had indeed been traveling home early from vacation to attend a funeral. He emphasized that the entire incident was a misunderstanding. "It was a mix-up that was handled in accordance with safety protocols," an airport official said. "There was no real threat to the flight or its passengers." The US territory’s Office of Explosive and Public Safety also confirmed that no legitimate threat was found during the investigation.

American Airlines spokesperson added, "American Airlines flight 1847, with service from San Juan (SJU) to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), returned to SJU shortly after departure due to a possible security concern." They further stated, "The flight landed safely at SJU, and law enforcement inspected and cleared the aircraft to re-depart. Safety and security are our top priorities and we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience."

The flight eventually departed again at 9:40 AM, nearly three and a half hours behind schedule, and safely reached Dallas the following day, July 4, 2025.

This incident, while unusual, highlights the delicate balance airlines and their crews must maintain between vigilance and overreaction, especially in an era where passengers are encouraged to "see something, say something." Critics argue that the diversion was an overcautious response to a harmless situation. Some point fingers at the passenger who invaded another's privacy by peering at their phone, while others question the crew's rapid decision to divert the flight based on a vague suspicion.

Indeed, the speed at which the situation escalated is remarkable. From the moment the text was seen to the decision to turn back, only a short span of time elapsed. This rapid chain of events underscores the "better safe than sorry" approach that airline crews often adopt, where erring on the side of caution is preferred to risking passenger safety.

However, this episode also serves as a cautionary tale about privacy and the consequences of misinterpretation. The passenger who received the condolence message was simply dealing with a personal loss, yet the public nature of the text message led to an unnecessary emergency. It raises questions about how personal communications are perceived in public spaces and how easily misunderstandings can spiral into costly and disruptive events.

Earlier in the year, a similar incident occurred when an American Airlines flight was delayed for hours due to a passenger naming their Wi-Fi network "I Have A Bomb." Such events reveal a pattern where innocent or ill-advised actions provoke heightened security responses, reflecting the tense atmosphere surrounding aviation security today.

Ultimately, the diversion of flight 1847 was a sobering reminder of how quickly fear and suspicion can impact air travel. While no harm came to passengers and the airline acted responsibly, the incident has sparked debate about the balance between security vigilance and common sense. It also underscores the need for passengers to respect privacy and for crews to carefully assess reports before taking drastic measures.

As air travel continues to evolve in a complex security landscape, incidents like these offer valuable lessons. They highlight the importance of clear communication, measured responses, and respect for individual privacy—all crucial to ensuring safe and smooth journeys for everyone onboard.