Suspected Food Poisoning Sickens 34 Passengers on Guam-Tokyo Flights

On Friday, 34 passengers aboard two separate flights from Guam to Tokyo fell ill with symptoms resembling food poisoning. The incidents occurred on United Airlines flight 873 and Japan Airlines flight 942, prompting an investigation by Japanese authorities into the potential cause of the outbreak. Both flights arrived at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, where some affected passengers required hospitalization.

United Airlines Flight 873

United Airlines flight 873, operated by a Boeing 737-800, departed Guam’s Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport slightly behind schedule at 17:12 local time. During the flight, 18 passengers reported nausea and vomiting. Upon landing at 19:29 in Tokyo, several ill passengers received medical attention, while others were able to continue their journey without further care.

Similar Incident on Japan Airlines

A nearly identical event occurred on Japan Airlines flight 942, which left Guam at 16:41. This flight, operated by a Boeing 767-300ER, saw 16 passengers fall ill with similar symptoms. JAL denied that in-flight meals were responsible, pointing out that some passengers displayed symptoms before boarding. Authorities suspect the illness may have originated from a shared source in Guam, rather than onboard catering.

Broader Context of Food-Related Incidents

While in-flight meals are not believed to be the cause in this case, food-related health concerns have disrupted flights in 2024. For example, a United Airlines flight from Seoul to San Francisco in May had to return to Seoul after crew members fell ill, likely from pre-flight food. Similarly, a catering facility in Detroit was temporarily shut down after Delta passengers discovered black mold in a chicken dish, leading to hundreds of flights operating without catering.

Investigation Underway

Japanese authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the illness affecting passengers on both flights. Cooperation between United Airlines, Japan Airlines, and local health officials has been praised for ensuring swift medical response and passenger safety.