An evangelical pastor attacked his wife on Alaska Airlines after she received an upgrade and he did not. The incident occurred on Alaska flight 275 from Seattle to Anchorage last Tuesday. Seventy-five-year-old Roger Allan Holmberg Sr. reportedly “flipped [his wife] the bird” and assaulted her upon learning of her Mileage Plan elite status.
The couple was traveling through Seattle to Anchorage, and during the second flight segment, his wife was upgraded. Shortly into the flight, Holmberg approached first class and demanded, “How the hell did you get the upgrade?” She replied, “I’m [an MVP] gold point member,” to which he responded, “Don’t speak to me like that.”
Holmberg returned to first class later with a written message on his phone for her to read and “gave [her] the finger.” On his third visit up front, he attempted to “swing his arm towards” her. Her seatmate intervened, blocking him from hitting her directly; however, he still “appeared to strike the top of victim’s head with his hand.” His wife stated that he had “roughed her up in the past.”
An off-duty police officer seated nearby threatened Holmberg with arrest if he did not cease his behavior.
The cabin crew informed the cockpit, leading to an FBI agent meeting the aircraft upon arrival in Anchorage. Holmberg told the agent that he and his wife were in counseling but claimed she was entirely at fault for their issues. He was arrested and charged with simple assault, facing up to a year in prison. Alaska Airlines has banned him from future travel.
