How does American Airlines define a "diversion" during flight operations?

In the context of flight operations, a "diversion" is specifically defined as a situation where a flight must be redirected to a different airport than originally planned. This can occur for a variety of operational reasons, such as inclement weather, technical issues with the aircraft, or emergencies that make landing at the intended airport unsafe or impossible. The focus here is on the need for the aircraft to land at a different location, which is a critical aspect of ensuring passenger safety and complying with operational protocols.

The other choices do not accurately capture the definition of a diversion. A flight delay exceeding two hours is not a diversion, as it refers to the extended waiting time rather than a change in destination. A flight going directly to its destination without stopping pertains to a non-stop flight, which does not involve a diversion. Finally, landing without passengers does not relate to the diversion process either; it implies an issue with passenger embarkation but does not indicate that a flight has changed its intended landing location. Thus, understanding the specific definition of a "diversion" is key in flight management and operational terminology.