Our son is on UA 804 out of HND to IAD, to return home with a school group, originally scheduled to depart at 0340 this morning.

When I awoke, they showed as already taxiing for nearly 2 hours. The United app’s flight status map showed them departing the gate, but getting only a bit further than push back. Shortly thereafter, a message appeared in the flight status regarding a cargo imbalance. Then, after nearly 3 hours of delay, he tells us that passengers have been informed that they’ll route through SFO, as it would be ‘illegal’ for the crew to now go direct to IAD.

Now, nearly four hours delayed, the status is showing as departing any minute (which keeps moving back 10 minutes more at a time…). The flight is appearing now as diverted, HND > SFO, then SFO > IAD, on the same aircraft. (The current times show they’ll arrive SFO five minutes AFTER they are scheduled to continue haha) No maps are available in the United app (Flight 804 cannot be found), but the split does appear. FlightAware actually shows the diverted route on their map, but the times are not currently.

Here’s what is currently showing on the United app for the status. Hopefully, they’ll get in the air soon… a dozen high school kids must be going loco by now. We bought the ticket as part of a trip on our United Club card, but compensation is limited to delays over 12 hours. Hopefully, UA will at least feed our children.

Your flight is departing late because we have to adjust weight on the plane to meet balance and safety standards. Your safety is our priority and we're sorry for the inconvenience.

Update: The flight has departed.

Your flight departed late because we had to adjust weight on the plane to meet balance and safety standards. Your safety is our priority and we're sorry for the inconvenience. (Departed Gate 3 Hours 58 Minutes Late, taxiing to runway - Diverted to SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA (SFO))