Passenger Accidentally Boards Wrong Flight, Ends Up in Tokyo

United Airlines passenger headed from LA to Nicaragua ends up in Japan after mix-up

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A United Airlines passenger headed from Los Angeles to Managua, Nicaragua, with a layover in Houston, accidentally boarded the wrong flight and ended up in Tokyo, Japan. The passenger reportedly realized the mistake mid-flight when asking why the trip to Houston was taking so long. United Airlines has apologized and offered travel credits as compensation.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of passengers being vigilant when boarding flights and paying close attention to flight details and announcements. It also raises questions about airport and airline procedures to ensure passengers board the correct flights, especially for international travel.

The details

According to reports, the passenger was supposed to fly from Los Angeles to Managua, Nicaragua, with a layover in Houston. However, the passenger accidentally boarded a flight to Tokyo instead. The passenger reportedly realized the mistake mid-flight when asking the flight attendant why the trip to Houston was taking six hours instead of just over three hours. The passenger ended up landing at Haneda Airport in Tokyo and had to stay at a hotel for two nights while United Airlines sorted out a new travel itinerary to the original destination.

  • The incident occurred on February 10, 2026.

The players

United Airlines

A major U.S. airline that operates flights to destinations around the world.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We followed up with the airport to understand how this happened, reached out directly to the customer to apologize for his experience and offered travel credits and reimbursement.”

— United Airlines spokesperson (Fox News Digital)

“We always advise customers to monitor the signs at the gate and boarding announcements to make sure the aircraft they board is going to their intended destination.”

— United Airlines spokesperson (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

United Airlines is investigating the incident to determine how the passenger was able to board the wrong flight and what steps can be taken to prevent similar mix-ups in the future.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder for all air travelers to be vigilant when boarding flights, double-check their destination, and pay close attention to gate and boarding announcements. While mistakes can happen, airlines have a responsibility to ensure robust procedures are in place to avoid such mix-ups, especially for international travel.