Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9 is declaring an emergency of…

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (Flight AS181) declared an emergency after making a U-turn over the southeastern UK while en route from Rome to Seattle. The flight, which took off at 15:45 CEST, initially flew at 34,000 feet but turned back approximately two hours into its journey, descending to 25,000 feet and squawking 7700 to signal an emergency. The crew suspected a need for fuel dumping due to weight issues before landing. The flight was later confirmed to divert back to Rome due to engine vibrations, with a new departure scheduled for 23:00 CEST. The aircraft landed safely after a total flight duration of 5 hours and 30 minutes.

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An Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (registration N780HA) has declared an emergency over the Atlantic Ocean after reversing course during its transoceanic flight from Italy to the United States.

Flight AS181 departed Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) at 15:45 CEST, bound for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The aircraft initially completed a routine climb, reaching a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet as it traversed French airspace.

However, approximately two hours into the flight, the aircraft abruptly abandoned its transatlantic trajectory. Flight tracking data shows the wide-body jet executing a sharp U-turn over the southeastern region of the United Kingdom.

Following the course reversal, the flight crew initiated a rapid descent, dropping to 25,000 feet while tracking back over western France. While flying the Atlantic, the crew broadcasted a general emergency by setting the aircraft’s transponder to squawk 7700.

The aircraft has since turned back toward mainland France, where it is performing maneuvers consistent with a fuel-dumping procedure. Long-haul aircraft like the Boeing 787-9 often need to discharge fuel over open water to lower their weight below the maximum structural landing weight before executing an unscheduled landing.

Flight Timeline

Time (CEST)	Event
15:45	Flight AS181 departs Rome FCO for Seattle.
~17:15	Cruising normally at 34,000 feet over France.
~17:45	Executes U-turn over SE United Kingdom; descends to 25,000 feet.
~18:15	Crosses over Atlantic coast and triggers squawk 7700 emergency code.
Current	Turning back toward France; suspected fuel dumping ahead of diversion.

An official diversion airport has not yet been confirmed, though aviation analysts suggest Paris or another major European hub are likely candidates. The nature of the emergency remains unknown at this time.

UPDATE 19:39 CEST We have information the flight is diverting back to Rome FCO due to engine vibration.

UPDATE 19:41 CEST The airline is scheduling a new departure at 23:00 CEST from FCO.

UPDATE 21:15 CEST Landed on runway 16R after 5 hours and 30 minutes in the air.

UPDATE 21:25 CEST Parked on remote stand.

TAGGED: AS AS181 N780HA

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Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9 is declaring an emergency off France coast, after U-turn over UK

Flight Timeline

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