During a United Airlines Boeing 777 transatlantic flight from Paris to Washington, DC, an automated announcement instructed passengers to put on oxygen masks. However, the cabin pressure remained normal throughout the flight. This incident caused panic among some passengers who tried to open ceiling compartments in search of oxygen masks. One person even attempted to open the aircraft door in a panic.
Flight attendants struggled to reach the pilots during the commotion as they tried to calm down the panicked passengers. Despite this, the flight continued without any trouble and was confirmed safe upon landing at its destination. The 26-year-old aircraft made another flight two days later without any incidents either.
United Airlines assured that the air pressure in the cabin remained normal throughout the flight and that customers deplaned normally upon arrival. However, this incident added to United Airlines’ scrutiny due to safety issues. The airline had been under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration following a series of safety incidents earlier in the year. Although United had indicated it was allowed to resume launching new routes, the FAA stated that its review was still ongoing.