FORT WORTH — A seemingly routine aircraft swap led to unexpected complications for American Airlines Flight AA780, which was forced to divert mid-flight after the aircraft assigned — a Boeing 787-9 — turned out to be uncertified for landing at Naples International Airport.
On June 2, 2025, the transatlantic journey from Philadelphia (PHL) to Naples (NAP) took an unplanned turn when the scheduled Boeing 787-8 was replaced with the larger 787-9 (tail number N837AN). While the substitution may have appeared minor on paper, it came with serious operational consequences that unfolded just minutes before landing.
American Airlines 787-9 Unexpectedly Diverts to Rome
Flight AA780 took off from Philadelphia at 7:42 PM, cruising smoothly across the Atlantic. However, during its descent into Naples, the flight crew abruptly changed course, rerouting the plane to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), located roughly 124 miles from Naples.
What triggered this sudden diversion? Weather wasn’t to blame — skies over Naples were clear, and other incoming flights landed without issue.
Why Naples Couldn’t Accept the 787-9
Although the Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 share many design similarities, the latter is longer, heavier, and has different performance metrics. These slight differences carry operational significance, especially for airports with spatial or infrastructure constraints.
Naples Airport — surrounded by dense urban development and mountainous terrain — may have limitations related to runway length, taxiway clearance, or apron space that make it unsuitable for the 787-9. These restrictions are typically defined by local aviation authorities to ensure safety under specific conditions.
American Airlines likely missed this detail when making the aircraft substitution — an oversight that could have posed safety or compliance risks had the descent continued.
How American Airlines Handled the Mid-Air Surprise
After safely landing in Rome, American Airlines had to rapidly restructure both aircraft and crew schedules. Fortunately, the airline already operated a Rome–Chicago (ORD) route using a 787-8. That allowed them to quickly switch aircraft assignments — deploying the newly arrived 787-9 on the Rome–Chicago leg and freeing up a compatible 787-8 (tail number N880BJ) for the delayed Naples journey.
However, due to legal crew duty hour limits, the 787-8 couldn’t depart for Naples immediately. Both the plane and its crew remained overnight in Rome. On June 4, the short 38-minute flight to Naples was completed, followed by a return to Philadelphia later that same day.
The Passenger Experience and Operational Lessons
It remains unclear how affected passengers were accommodated overnight or whether they were transported to Naples by rail, bus, or connecting flights. American Airlines has not released those specific details.
What’s certain is that this incident sheds light on the intricate planning involved in international aviation. Even minor aircraft changes can have outsized ripple effects — especially in regions with tightly regulated airport operations.
Though American Airlines adapted quickly and effectively limited disruption, the root issue highlights a procedural gap. Whether it was a breakdown in internal coordination or a misjudgment of local airport certifications, this case underscores the need for meticulous cross-checking in flight planning and dispatch decisions.
