A United Airlines flight heading from Honolulu to Los Angeles turned around mid flight on Wednesday after a “potential security concern was found written on a lavatory mirror,” according to a United Airlines spokesperson. 

After the United flight 1169 returned to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu around 1:35 a.m. local time, law enforcement officials met the aircraft and conducted a security sweep.  

There were 339 passengers and 10 crew members on board the Boeing 777. 

United Airlines said they are rebooking the passengers onto a flight to Los Angeles that will depart Wednesday evening. 

FBI Honolulu told Spectrum News that they responded to the security incident, and said there is no threat to public safety. However, the federal agency declined to comment further, saying that because it is an ongoing matter they are not able to provide details.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from the FBI Honolulu. (May 21, 2025)