The United Airlines flight departing for Cape Town, South Africa made a precautionary return to Newark after reporting smoke in the passenger compartment on 20 August 2025.
United Airlines flight UA1122, operated by a Boeing 787-9, had conducted a departure from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
The flight was a scheduled service bound for Cape Town International Airport (CPT).
United Airlines UA1122 Newark-Cape Town
As the aircraft approached cruising altitude over the Atlantic, flight crew reported smoke emanating from one of the passenger compartments.
As a result, the climb procedure was terminated and a precautionary return to Newark was carried out.
During the subsequent return, flight crew carried out fuel dumping procedures to permit the early return landing.
The aircraft landed on runway 04R Newark Liberty International Airport, approximately 30 minutes after the diversion was carried out.
Following the landing, flight crew vacated the active runway and stopped clear, in order to facilitate an inspection by emergency ground service assets.
The aircraft then proceeded to the apron hardstanding area.
Flight & Aircraft Data
Flight data shows that flight UA1122 had made a slightly delayed departure out of Newark Liberty International Airport on 20 August. Actual departure time for the service was logged as 9:22 PM local time.
Following departure, the flight had set course normally and was on climb through flight level FL320 when the climb procedure was terminated.
A direct return track was then initiated to the departure airport.
The aircraft conducting the UA1122 service to Cape Town International Airport was a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registered N27965.
This is a 9.5 year old widebody aircraft belonging to the carrier United Airlines. It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in February 2016.