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Emergency landing prompts United Airlines pilot to order dinner for 150 passengers

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Emergency landing prompts United Airlines pilot to order dinner for 150 passengers

A plane full of passengers was forced to make an emergency landing, delaying their arrival by seven hours, but a gesture from the pilot may have made the situation not so bad. 

Tanya Stamos, a 44-year-old United States Navy veteran from Woodlands, Texas, said she was recently flying from San Francisco to Houston on a United Airlines flight when things took a turn. 

Stamos told Fox News Digital that the nonstop flight was scheduled to arrive in Houston at 7:00 p.m., but the flight had to make an emergency landing soon after takeoff.

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“Not long into our flight, the captain had come on and asked if there were any health care professionals, [and] if so, please let the flight attendant know and head to the back of the plane,” she said via email.

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Tanya Stamos (pictured here) told Fox News Digital that the sweet gesture from the pilot made the day not too terrible.  (Tanya Stamos)

Stamos said that after learning that a man had passed out and collapsed in the bathroom, they were told by the pilot that the plane would be making an emergency landing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to seek medical help for the passenger.

Around 3:30 p.m., the flight landed in New Mexico where the passenger was taken off the plane by medical officials. 

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“The pilot then gets on and says they are going to refurbish the medical equipment that was used, and we will be departing by 5:00 p.m.,” Stamos said. 

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However, a short time later, the passengers were asked to exit the plane and were not given an explanation as to why, Stamos said.

The pilot (pictured here) told passengers that he would make sure their bellies were full.  (Tanya Stamos)

Stamos said she and fellow passengers walked into the New Mexico airport and learned that they would have to wait for a new flight crew to board the plane.

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“After sitting there for a couple hours trying to figure out what was going on and the captain to find other flight attendants to serve us so we would not be stuck there overnight, it was near 7:30 p.m. or so,” she said.

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Stamos said United Airlines gave passengers a $15 food voucher, but the airport restaurants and food options were closed by then. 

Due to the other eating establishments being closed in the terminal, the pilot had 30 pizzas delivered for his passengers.  (iStock)

The pilot ended up taking matters into his own hands and ordered pizza.

“The captain said it was a really disheartening situation, and we may be tired, but he would make sure he personally got our bellies full,” Stamos said. 

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews/lifestyle

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Stamos said 30 pizzas for the 150 passengers showed up to the gate and everyone was “completely shocked.”

The United Airlines pilot proceeded to help pass out pizza to the 150 passengers in New Mexico.  (Tanya Stamos)

“Most organizations do not go above and beyond, but that captain did not hesitate,” she said, adding, “His display that evening is what we should have more of: selfless acts of love, compassion and humanity.”

Stamos said new flight attendants arrived, and the flight was able to take off at 11:00 p.m. The plane safely landed in Houston at 2:00 a.m. the next morning. 

She said the pilot stood at the front of the aircraft upon deplaning in Houston to thank the passengers for being patient. 

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“As it was my turn to exit the plane, I shook his hand and thanked him,” she said, adding, “Everyone behind me then followed suit and shook his hand as well.”

A United Airlines pilot on a diverted flight ordered pizza for all 150 passengers after a long day of travel. The pilot later stood in front of the plane to thank the passengers and shook their hands. (iStock;Tanya Stamos)

Stamos said, “It was a beautiful sight.”

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A representative from United Airlines told Fox News Digital that the company “loves to see our pilots going above and beyond for our customers when the unexpected happens.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

About 20 detained after armed suspect call sparks LAPD response in Koreatown

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About 20 detained after armed suspect call sparks LAPD response in Koreatown

About 20 people were detained Saturday during a large police response in Los Angeles’ Koreatown after authorities received reports of an armed man threatening people, officials said. Officers responded to the 3400 block of West 8th Street near Kingsley Drive on reports of an assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles Police […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor

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Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor

A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.

Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.

He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.

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At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota. 

She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.

Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.

“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.

In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.

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On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.

“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”

“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”

Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888

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Los Angeles, Ca

Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

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Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]

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