A United Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX 8, which operated from Vancouver to Houston, was removed from scheduled service on Friday for a deep cleaning. This decision followed reports of nausea and general discomfort from several passengers who had recently completed a cruise. The affected flight, UA1528, had departed from British Columbia, a popular embarkation point for Northern Pacific and Alaska cruises.
Of the 163 passengers and six crew members onboard, 75 had taken a cruise before the flight, with 25 reporting nausea. Upon arrival in Houston, the Houston Fire Department evaluated three passengers before they disembarked, though none required hospitalization.
United Airlines emphasized, “the safety of crew and passengers is their top priority.” The incident disrupted two subsequent flights, but the airline could not specify which cruise the passengers had been on. United is actively coordinating with health authorities to understand the situation better.
According to data from Flightradar24, the aircraft resumed operations on June 1st as UA1751, flying from Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) to Guatemala City La Aurora International Airport (GUA). The flight, scheduled to depart at 09:37, left at 10:14 and arrived in Guatemala at 12:00, 33 minutes behind schedule.
Despite the disruption, the airline’s quick response and coordination with health authorities highlight their commitment to passenger safety and operational integrity.