United Boeing 757 returns to Los Angeles
On December 31, a United Airlines Boeing 757-300 flying from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) in Hawaii had to return shortly after takeoff due to a mechanical problem.
According to Flightradar24, the airliner flew over the ocean and reached a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet. However, it was quickly spotted turning around and returning to Los Angeles.
The particular nature of the problem is unknown, and Simple Flying has contacted the airline for comment. According to KLTA, United Airlines verified that the plane landed in Los Angeles at 12:15 and that a different flight was scheduled to transport the 226 passengers to Kona.
About the aircraft
The aircraft in question is an almost 23-year-old Boeing 757-300, registration N78866. According to ch-aviation, it was delivered in 2002 and had accumulated over 69,000 hours throughout 20,722 flight cycles by July 2024.
The airliner can accommodate a maximum of 234 passengers in three cabin configurations: economy, economy plus, and business.
The newest detour occurs only days after another United 757-300 was forced to divert to Albuquerque, New Mexico, after the crew discovered smoke in the cabin. It was operating flight UA2225 from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
The plane declared an emergency before diverting. It landed safely and was briefly inspected by emergency personnel at the airport. A different plane was scheduled to transport customers to their destinations that evening.
There have also been a few minor United 757 mishaps in recent months. In October, a United 757 had to return to Denver shortly after takeoff owing to a hydraulic malfunction. It had left on a planned flight to Lihue, Hawaii.
In the same month, another United 757 was forced to divert to Pittsburgh International Airport after crew members detected an unusual stench in the cabin. The plane was on flight 2294, which went from Newark Liberty International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport.
A few weeks ago, a 30-year-old United 757 experienced a flap issue on the final approach, requiring a go-around at Lihue Airport (LIH). The problem was resolved on the subsequent approach, and the plane landed without incident.
Replacing the 757s
United Airlines has a diversified fleet, one of the largest in the world. Its narrowbody fleet includes Airbus A320s, Boeing 737s, and Boeing 757s.
According to ch-aviation, United has 40 Boeing 757-200 aircraft in its inventory, with an average age of 28 years. It also contains 21 757-300 versions, with a mean age of 22.4. While these planes continue to service the airline on domestic and international flights, the majority are nearing the end of their useful lives.
As a result, United intends to gradually replace them with the newer Airbus A321XLR. The carrier expects to get its first A321XLR in 2025, which will eventually replace its outdated 757s.
United also sends its 757s to select transatlantic locations in Europe, and Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President for Global Network Planning and Alliances, claims that these flights have grown unprofitable for these smaller markets.
However, United wishes to continue flying to these destinations, and the A321XLR, with its improved fuel efficiency and range, would be a suitable substitute. Simple Flying has explored this in depth in the article below.