United Airlines Boeing 777 Passengers Panic After Oxygen Mask Announcement

Passengers on a United Airlines Boeing 777-200ER flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) panicked after an oxygen mask announcement was triggered. Although the announcement was made, no masks were deployed, leading to confusion and fear among the passengers.

The incident occurred on United Airlines flight UA914, which was on its regular transatlantic route when the automated oxygen mask announcement unexpectedly played. Passengers were instructed to wait for the masks to drop and then put them over their heads, but no masks appeared, causing some passengers to panic and attempt to force open the compartments.

Parker Pitman, a passenger on the flight, described the chaos, noting that one person even had a panic attack and ran toward the aircraft door. The flight and cabin crew, unfamiliar with the situation, were unable to immediately reassure the passengers. A United Airlines spokesperson confirmed the incident and stated that a few oxygen masks had inadvertently deployed but the cabin pressure remained normal, and the aircraft landed safely as scheduled.

The aircraft involved, a Boeing 777-200ER registered as N795UA, was delivered to United Airlines in December 1997. It can accommodate 276 passengers across four cabin classes. United Airlines currently has 55 Boeing 777-200ERs in its fleet, with an average age of 24.3 years.

This incident follows another involving a United Airlines Boeing 777-200ER earlier in the same week. On June 9, 2024, a 777-200ER with a special Star Alliance livery made an emergency landing due to a hydraulic leak while en route to Paris from Washington DC. The aircraft was diverted to Gander International Airport in Canada.

United Airlines has faced multiple incidents in recent months, prompting the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct an audit of the airline's safety procedures. The airline passed the audit in mid-May 2024, allowing it to continue adding new aircraft and routes. United has committed to ongoing collaboration with the FAA to ensure safety across its operations.

These events highlight the importance of stringent safety protocols and effective communication in maintaining passenger confidence and safety during flights. United Airlines' response to these incidents will be closely watched by both regulators and the public.