'Gonna hijack this plane... will crash your row only': Terrifying texts spotted by United flight attendant that saw Newark-bound plane return to Vegas

Sign up for our US Editor's Picks newsletter to get all the best exclusive stories Published: 12:22 EDT, 27 October 2026 | Updated: 12:35 EDT, 27 October 2026 A United Airlines flight attendant spotted terrifying texts allegedly sent by a passenger threatening to hijack the aircraft, forcing it to urgently return to Las Vegas.Dante Milne, 25, of Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, was arrested in Las Vegas on Saturday after allegedly making threats while onboard United Flight 1681. Milne was spotted by a flight attendant allegedly sending threats to hijack the Vegas-to-Newark plane, causing the United worker to report him and for the plane to return to Sin City, the complaint viewed by KSNV reportedly said. He allegedly wrote to someone that he was 'gonna hijack this' plane and would 'crash ur [sic] row only.' It is unclear how the message was transmitted or who the recipient was. The incident occurred roughly 13 minutes into the flight. The flight attendant did not engage with Milne, but instead reported the scary messages to the cockpit. The pilot told air traffic controllers that the 'passenger does not know anything is going on,' recordings showed. 'No restraint. Passenger is compliant because he is unaware,' the pilot said. Law enforcement met the plane, and Milne was taken into custody and booked into the Clark County Jail. He has since bailed out, court records showed. Dante Milne, of Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, was arrested by federal authorities in Las Vegas on Saturday after messaging someone that he was going to 'hijack' the plane Milne was spotted by a flight attendant, causing the United worker to report him to the cockpit (stock image)As part of his bail conditions, he was told to stay out of trouble, according to 8 News Now. He has been charged with a felony for making a threat or false information in an act of terrorism. Milne was taken into custody without incident, and all other passengers were evacuated. The plane was then thoroughly checked. The 149 passengers then unfortunately had to wait overnight as the flight crew had exceeded their mandated operating hours. The flight departed on Sunday morning. The Daily Mail has reached out to Milne and United for comment. 'Potential security concern': United flight makes U-turn after flight crew witness peculiar passenger behaviorUnited passenger arrested for hijacking threat on Las Vegas-Newark flightThe plane was headed from Las Vegas to Newark on Saturday when a flight attendant spotted what… pic.twitter.com/32YCJZ2Vlk— D. Scott @eclipsethis2003 (@eclipsethis2003) October 27, 2026 The flight had barely left the Harry Reid International Airport before having to return due to the messages. Milne faces a terrorism chargeThe scare comes just days after another United Airlines flight experienced a huge bang during turbulence so severe that the plane began plunging, injuring four flight attendants. Passengers said the turbulence felt like a sudden drop after hearing a 'huge bang,' with one witness reporting that one of the injured flight attendants had blood on their head and leg.Medical personnel saw four flight attendants in total, including one who was transported to the hospital for further treatment, United told The Daily Mail in a statement.United Airlines Flight 1157 had initially left Honolulu, Hawaii, before landing safely in Los Angeles, California.