Why a Tiny United Jet Made Five Stops on Its Way to China

  • The 76-seat regional jet is on a tour of Russia and China
  • Embraer leased the aircraft from regional operator Mesa Air
Photographer: Larry MacDougal/AP
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After a routine flight Friday from Houston to Colorado Springs, a United Express regional jet began heading northwest. Way, way northwest.

It flew all the way to China, making many stops along the way. The regional jet’s far-flung destinations caught the attention of aviation enthusiasts and led to speculation on Twitter.