Quantcast

Passenger exits plane onto wing at Seattle-Tacoma airport

US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Air India to operate daily Delhi-Prayagraj flights for Maha Kumbh
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
Passenger exits plane onto wing at Seattle-Tacoma airport
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

Alaska Airlines experienced an unusual incident on December 22, 2024, when a passenger opened the emergency exit door upon arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The event occurred on Flight 323, which had traveled from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.

As the Boeing 737-900ER was taxiing to gate 9, a passenger exited the aircraft onto the wing. An eyewitness reported to KIRO 7 News that "a passenger, upon arrival at a gate from [an] inbound Milwaukee flight, opened an emergency exit and walked out on the wing."

The airport's spokesperson explained that the passenger acted due to anxiety. After intervention by local fire and crisis teams, it was decided not to press charges. However, potential violations of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules prompted notifications to both the FAA and FBI.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Alaska Airlines acknowledged the situation in a statement: "This evening, upon arrival from Milwaukee in Seattle, there was an incident on Alaska Airlines Flight 323 involving a disruptive guest. The matter was safely resolved. We are working with our crew and airport officials to gather more details about what may have transpired. We thank our employees for their swift response and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our guests."

This is not Alaska Airlines' first notable incident involving a Boeing 737. In January 2024, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 experienced a mid-flight door blow-out en route from Portland to Ontario. Although all passengers survived, three were treated for minor injuries.

Flight 323 was operated by N282AK, one of Alaska Airlines' fleet of Boeing 737-900ERs delivered in November 2017. The aircraft had completed several flights prior to this incident.

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport serves as one of four weekly routes between Milwaukee and Seattle operated by Alaska Airlines without direct competition but with various one-stop options through other airlines.

In recent years, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport has seen recovery in passenger numbers post-pandemic but remains below its peak traffic levels from previous years.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Long Beach Airport has entered into a 30-year lease agreement with JetZero, Inc., a company focused on next-generation aircraft design.

Oct 28, 2025

Passengers planning summer travel for 2026 can now book flights with Lufthansa Group Airlines, which has released its schedule featuring new destinations and increased frequencies.

Oct 28, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced its Employees of the Month at its LAV facility.

Oct 28, 2025

Flying Food Group's San Francisco facility recently celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with its employees.

Oct 28, 2025

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of a new route connecting Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa.

Oct 27, 2025

United Airlines has unveiled its Summer 2026 schedule, which includes new flights from Newark to Bari, Split, Santiago de Compostela, and Glasgow, as well as from Newark to Seoul and Washington, D.C., to Reykjavik.

Oct 27, 2025