A United Airlines flight traveling from Houston to Boston was diverted to Washington-Dulles after a passenger’s medical issue created what was described as a “biohazard,” causing several crew members to vomit.
Flight UA2477, a Boeing 737-800, departed from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston at 9:39 a.m. CT. After flying for nearly three hours, the aircraft made an emergency landing at Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., at 1:36 p.m. ET.
According to a United Airlines representative, the emergency landing was prompted by a passenger’s medical condition that resulted in a significant biohazard situation. “The aircraft was deep cleaned and subsequently departed for Boston later that afternoon,” the airline said in a statement. Despite the challenging circumstances, the airline confirmed that no one among the 155 passengers and six crew members required medical assistance upon arrival.
The seriousness of the situation was underscored by an audio clip of the pilot’s emergency call, which was shared on social media. In the recording, the pilot described the condition inside the cabin, saying, “I talked to the crew and it sounds like it’s quite bad back there. It’s still really bad. The crew is vomiting, and passengers all around are asking for masks.” He continued, “With this kind of being a biohazard, I think we need to get this plane on the ground ASAP.”
FlightAware tracking data shows that the plane departed Dulles International at 5:17 p.m. ET and arrived at Boston Logan International Airport at 7:55 p.m. ET. This incident follows a similar occurrence involving another airline within the past year.
In September 2023, a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Barcelona was diverted due to a passenger suffering from severe diarrhea. The situation gained media attention after a pilot’s call to dispatchers described it as a “biohazard issue.” Social media users who were on the flight reported that the odor was overpowering, and efforts to mask the smell with vanilla-scented disinfectant only exacerbated the situation.
PEOPLE spoke with Robin Mermelstein, a Miami-based flight attendant with 40 years of experience, to understand what typically happens in such scenarios. Mermelstein, who has not personally encountered a flight diversion due to a biohazard, explained that she has dealt with medical emergencies and situations involving vomit. “On flights where passengers have vomited, airline staff use a biohazard fluid control powder called Red-Z, which helps to manage the mess,” she said.
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Mermelstein noted that in cases of severe accidents in the airplane lavatory, the affected bathroom would usually be locked off from use. However, she emphasized that the Delta flight situation, where diarrhea was reported to have spread across the cabin floor, was notably extreme. “If the passenger with diarrhea was walking to their seat and had an accident all over the place, and then you have the smell, obviously, if it’s in that many places, I think that that is probably the worst,” Mermelstein said.
The incident highlights the challenges airlines face in managing biohazard situations and underscores the importance of thorough cleaning protocols to ensure passenger safety and comfort.
