A transatlantic flight from New York to Mallorca turned back over the Atlantic after a passenger named a Bluetooth device “bomb”, prompting the crew to treat the alert as a possible security threat and return to the United States, officials said.

The diversion disrupted the journey for dozens of travellers and highlights how even a mistaken device name can trigger a precautionary response on long-haul routes, where security procedures can override schedules and add hours of delay.

According to authorities, the flight was already en route to Spain when the alert was detected. The crew decided to reverse course rather than continue to Europe, a standard safety-first step when a potential threat cannot be immediately ruled out.

Officials did not immediately identify the airline or give the number of passengers on board. They said the issue came from a Bluetooth device name that included the word “bomb”, which was visible to crew members during the flight.

Such incidents can lead to police involvement, secondary checks and rebooking costs, and they can also create knock-on disruption for airport operations at both the departure and destination points. For travellers, the main impact is often lost time, missed connections and uncertainty about onward plans.

The aircraft’s return ended the scheduled trip before it reached Mallorca, leaving passengers to wait for further instructions on a replacement flight or other arrangements. Authorities have not said whether any criminal investigation is underway.