Humanoid Robot Bebop Delays Southwest Airlines Flight at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport

OAKLAND, Calif. — Travelers on a Southwest Airlines flight from Oakland to San Diego experienced a delay of over an hour on Thursday, courtesy of an unusual passenger — a humanoid robot. The robot’s presence on the runway sparked a temporary hold-up.

The robot, weighing in at 70 pounds and going by the name Bebop, was en route for a work-related task when it became the center of attention, necessitating a series of inquiries and safety verifications prior to takeoff.

In an unexpected twist before boarding, Bebop entertained fellow passengers with a short performance, adding a bit of flair to the usual pre-flight routine.

However, once Bebop was securely fastened in its seat, further questions emerged.

“They started asking about the type of batteries it uses and other specifics,” recounted Eily Ben-Abraham from Elite Event Robotics. “They wanted to inspect it thoroughly.”

“And meanwhile, I’m, like, watching his flight, and I keep seeing online, ‘runway delay,’” said Chana Ben-Abraham with Elite Event Robotics.

In a statement, Southwest Airlines said Bebop’s lithium battery exceeded the airline’s maximum allowable size and was confiscated, leading to the delay.

Elite Event Robotics said it is now working to recover the battery before its next scheduled appearance.

Dustin Dorsey: “So, will Bebop be joining you on another flight then in the future?”

“He’ll be there on Sunday,” Chana Ben-Abraham said. “We’re overnighting batteries to Chicago tomorrow to hopefully be able to fulfill the next event request.”

“At the moment, we got him under 100 pounds, so I shouldn’t have to worry about actually, like, walking him through the terminals,” Eily Ben-Abraham said.

The delay ended, and the flight continued — leaving behind a travel story that could only be told in the Bay Area.