United 787 diverts to Boston after cockpit windshield cracks

United Airlines Flight 108, a Boeing 787-8 en route from Washington Dulles International Airport to Munich, diverted to Boston Logan International Airport on August 10, 2026, after the flight crew reported a cracked cockpit windshield less than two hours into the transatlantic journey.

The aircraft departed Dulles with 175 passengers aboard in the late afternoon, flew northeast over the Atlantic, and then turned back over southern Maine toward Boston, landing safely shortly before 19:30 local time. Emergency crews from Massport Fire and Rescue met the aircraft upon arrival, though no injuries were reported.

According to United, the crack affected the outer layer of the windshield, which is built from multiple layers so that the structure continues to function even if one layer is compromised. The airline said the aircraft remained safe to operate throughout the diversion. The cause of the cracking has not yet been determined.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the crew reported the cracked windshield prior to landing and said it is investigating the incident.

The flight was cancelled following the diversion, and United said it arranged alternative transportation for affected passengers along with hotel accommodation, meal vouchers and compensation. The aircraft remained grounded in Boston after the event, according to flight-tracking data.

The airline noted that a separate incident involving a KLM Boeing 787-9 occurred in February 2025, when that aircraft's windshield cracked during descent and it landed safely in Costa Rica. Separately, in July 2025, a United 787 operating the same Washington-to-Munich route returned to Dulles after an engine failure shortly after takeoff, landing safely after dumping fuel.