### American Airlines Flight Diverts Due to Oversized Aircraft

In an unexpected turn of events, American Airlines Flight 780 from Philadelphia to Naples, Italy, was diverted mid-flight after a larger-than-usual aircraft was dispatched for the route. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 variant, took off from Philadelphia at 7:42 p.m. on Monday and was scheduled to arrive in Naples at 10 a.m. local time.

Approximately seven hours into the journey, while the plane was over the Tyrrhenian Sea and just 70 miles from its intended destination, it redirected its course to Rome Fiumicino Airport instead. This change was due to "operational limitations," according to an American Airlines spokesperson.

Historical data reveals that American Airlines typically utilizes the Boeing 787-8 variant for flights to Naples. Although the 787-8 and 787-9 share a similar wingspan, the latter is 20 feet longer. This distinction results in different requirements for rescue-and-firefighting services (RFFS). Naples International Airport, which falls under the Category 8 RFFS classification, cannot accommodate the Boeing 787-9, which necessitates a Category 9 RFFS.

Flight data from Flightradar24 confirmed the diversion, and reports from aviation enthusiast @xJonNYC highlighted that Naples Airport does not permit the landing of 787-9 aircraft. Upon landing at Rome Fiumicino at around 9:45 a.m., passengers were bused approximately 145 miles to Naples, a journey that takes more than two hours by road.

American Airlines expressed their apologies for the disruption, and two-and-a-half hours after the plane landed in Rome, it took off again for Chicago as Flight 111. This incident marks the second notable diversion involving passenger buses this week. Just days prior, a Ryanair flight diverted due to severe turbulence and thunderstorms, resulting in a similar bus journey from Memmingen, Germany, to Milan, taking around four-and-a-half hours.

The airline's spokesperson emphasized their commitment to passenger safety and convenience, but such diversions underscore the complexities of international air travel and the vital importance of adhering to operational and safety regulations.