Bluetooth directive prompts United flight to return to Newark, passengers report

Flight 236, a United Airlines jet from Newark to Palma de Mallorca, declared a general emergency and returned to Newark after cabin crew told passengers to disable Bluetooth on their devices; the plane landed safely and passengers deboarded, with United apologizing. The trigger remains unverified, though Bluetooth as a broad safety threat is not established, and in-flight device rules have evolved over time.