United flight diverted to Denver after passenger refuses to wear face mask
DENVER, CO – A United Airlines flight from Newark to San Francisco was forced to divert to Denver International Airport on Thursday after a passenger refused to comply with federal face mask requirements, according to airline officials.
The incident occurred mid-flight when a male passenger became verbally disruptive after crew members requested he wear a face covering in accordance with current federal regulations. The pilot made the decision to reroute the aircraft to Denver, where law enforcement met the plane upon landing.
United Airlines confirmed the aircraft landed safely and that the disruptive passenger was removed from the flight. No injuries were reported among the 150 passengers and six crew members on board. The flight later continued to San Francisco after a brief delay.
Federal law mandates mask compliance on all commercial aircraft, with violations subject to civil penalties and potential inclusion on a no-fly list. The Federal Aviation Administration continues to investigate the incident.