TAMPA, Fla. — A United Airlines flight bound for Guatemala City was forced to make an unexpected emergency landing in Florida on Thursday after a passenger experienced a medical emergency mid-flight.
United Airlines Flight UA1551, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8 (registration N37367), departed Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 6:46 p.m. EDT.
Approximately two and a half hours into the southbound flight, the flight crew issued a general emergency signal (squawking code 7700) in response to a serious medical situation on board. Pilots immediately initiated a diversion to Tampa International Airport (TPA).
Three hours after taking off from Newark, the aircraft landed safely on Runway 1L in Tampa. The plane taxied to Gate A7, where local emergency medical personnel were on standby to assist the affected passenger.
Following a brief delay on the ground to address the medical situation, the aircraft was pushed back from the gate approximately an hour later. The crew taxied to Runway 1R and successfully took off to resume its route to La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.
