American Airlines Flight Reportedly Delayed by WiFi Hotspot Using the Word ‘Bomb’

Mar. 15, 2025

An American Airlines plane pictured on the runway at Barcelona Airport, Spain.Photo:Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty

Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty

Plane passengers traveling from Austin, Texas, to Charlotte, North Carolina, experienced a four-and-a-half hour delay to their flight after police were alerted to suspicious activity on board.

On Friday, Feb. 7, American Airlines Flight 2863 was scheduled to depart from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 1:42 p.m. local time, according toABC News, however the outlet reported that crew members became concerned “regarding the name of a WiFi hotspot involving the word ‘bomb.’ "

Steen said the pilot informed passengers that “somebody renamed their hotspot ‘there is a bomb on the flight,’ ” per ABC News.

An American Airplanes plane, pictured, at Austin Airport.Brandon Bell/Getty

Brandon Bell/Getty

A lieutenant from the police department then boarded the plane and asked the person with the WiFi hotspot name to make themselves known, according to Steen, however no one raised their hand. He added to the outlet that passengers were told the situation would be handled “differently” if it was a practical joke rather than having to do a full investigation.

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Passengers at Austin Airport in 2022.George Rose/Getty

George Rose/Getty

The aircraft and luggage were then swept for explosives before the plane departed, per ABC News. The plane departed around 6.24 p.m. local time, according toFlight Aware.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said they and their partners in the transportation sector “take bomb threats very seriously,” in a statement to PEOPLE. “All passengers and their checked baggage were rescreened,” the TSA added.

“The incident did not cause significant impacts to airport operations,” Austin Police Department told PEOPLE.

American Airlines and Austin Airport did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

source: people.com