In a concerning incident last month, five individuals were injured aboard a United Airlines Boeing 787 flight that encountered severe turbulence. This alarming event was highlighted in a report released by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday, shedding light on the risks associated with turbulence in commercial aviation.

The flight, designated as United Airlines Flight 1, embarked on a long journey from San Francisco to Singapore on March 26. This particular route is a grueling 16-hour redeye flight, and it was approximately 12 hours into the journey, while flying over the Philippines, that the turbulence struck.

According to the FAA's detailed report, there were a total of 174 passengers and 14 crew members on board the aircraft when it experienced the sudden turbulence. The injuries sustained included one passenger and three cabin crew members who suffered minor injuries, while another cabin crew member faced more serious injuries. Although the FAA has reported the injuries, the specifics regarding their nature remain unclear.

A spokesperson for United Airlines commented on the incident, stating that the flight encountered a "brief period of unexpected turbulence." They emphasized their commitment to passenger safety, noting that medical personnel were prepared to assist upon the aircraft's arrival in Singapore. The spokesperson confirmed that one customer and four flight attendants were transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. "Were grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of fellow crew members and our customers," the spokesperson added, highlighting the airlines dedication to safety and care.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently leading the investigation into the incident, collaborating with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to ascertain the causes and circumstances surrounding this turbulence event.

This incident has escalated concerns about the dangers of turbulence in air travel, especially in light of a tragic event last May involving a Singapore Airlines flight, where a passenger lost their life and 71 others were injured due to severe turbulence.

In response to the growing awareness and risks associated with turbulence, Korean Air recently announced that it would discontinue serving instant noodles on its flights. This decision was motivated by safety concerns over potential burn accidents that could occur during turbulent moments. The airline indicated that turbulence has evolved into a persistent issue in recent years, citing a doubling of turbulence-related incidents between 2024 and 2019.

Moreover, Korean Air linked the increase in turbulence to climate change, pointing out the large temperature variations that can occur between different altitudes. Turbulence is primarily created when discrepancies in wind speed lead to increased friction among air molecules, a phenomenon that is exacerbated by the warming climate. According to experts, climate change adds energy to the atmosphere, resulting in more turbulence occurrences, especially around jet streams where clear-air turbulence is most common.

Guy Gratton, an associate professor of aviation and the environment at Cranfield University, previously discussed the implications of climate change on turbulence, stating that it is making encounters with clear-air turbulence both more frequent and intense. Furthermore, a 2023 study conducted by researchers at the University of Reading indicated an uptick in turbulence incidents over the North Atlantic, specifically around the north polar jet stream, with the most severe types of clear-air turbulence increasing by a staggering 55% between 1979 and 2020.