Quantcast

Alaska Airlines passenger sentenced for bomb threat causing major disruption

Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger Stows Away on Delta Flight from New York to Paris
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Alaska Airlines' “Aviation Day” inspires future aviators
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
Qatar Airways places record $96 billion Boeing order amid Trump visit
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
Alaska Airlines passenger sentenced for bomb threat causing major disruption
Policy
Webp messenger creation 6c8fcdd7 33e8 459b bcc1 e06c64e9c7ae
Alaska Airlines | Wikipedia

An Alaska Airlines passenger who made a bomb threat on a flight will serve nearly two years in prison. The incident took place on July 5, 2023, when the passenger handed a note to a flight attendant stating, “There is a bomb on the plane. This is not a joke.”

According to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Brandon L. Scott, 40, was responsible for the incident on an Alaska Airlines flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Seattle Tacoma International Airport. He has been sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $79,449.47 in restitution to Alaska Airlines and Spokane International Airport.

On the day of the incident, Scott gave a note to a flight attendant claiming there was a bomb onboard and instructing that the flight be diverted from Seattle to another airport. Upon receiving this threat, the flight crew notified air traffic control (ATC), resulting in the diversion of the aircraft to Spokane International Airport in Washington. The airport had to implement a ground stop for all aircraft, causing delays.

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.

The note read: “There is a bomb on the plane. This is not a joke. Several pounds of homemade explosives are in my carry-on bag. I have a detonator with me... Many innocent lives are in your hands..."

After landing at Spokane International Airport, Scott was taken into custody and confessed. No explosives were found onboard. The investigation by the FBI led to his prosecution by Assistant United States Attorneys Tyler H.L. Tornabene and Patrick J. Cashman.

Acting US Attorney Richard R. Barker commented that Scott's actions caused significant disruption and alarm, emphasizing their commitment "to protecting the safety of passengers and airline personnel." W. Mike Herrington from the FBI’s Seattle field office noted that no injuries occurred and praised the crew's professionalism.

In related incidents, bomb threats continue to be an issue in aviation security with recent cases involving Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines flights facing similar threats.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Etihad Airways has announced the introduction of new routes to Salalah, Oman, starting May 21, 2026, and Krakow, Poland, beginning June 16, 2026.

Jul 3, 2025

Allegiant Air has announced the launch of its Summer of Travel Sweepstakes on X, offering participants a chance to win a summer of flights for two.

Jul 3, 2025

Airlines for America has called for the modernization of the U.S. air traffic control system amid record air travel and a growing reliance on air cargo shipments.

Jul 3, 2025

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has issued travel recommendations for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, advising passengers to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights.

Jul 3, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the commencement of a new four-times-weekly passenger service to Porto, Portugal.

Jul 3, 2025

Hainan Airlines has announced the formal implementation of its codeshare agreement with Air Europa, set to commence on July 1, 2025.

Jul 3, 2025