Passengers on Alaska Airlines flight 825 experienced an unexpected return to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Tuesday due to a cabin depressurization issue. The Boeing 737-900ER, initially en route to Kahului, Hawaii, had to make an emergency descent and return after losing cabin pressure at cruising altitude.
According to The Aviation Herald, the aircraft registered as N462AS was approximately 220 nautical miles southwest of Seattle when the crew initiated the emergency procedures. The plane descended to 9,000 feet before safely landing back in Seattle on runway 34R. A replacement aircraft later completed the journey after a six-hour delay.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident stating: "Alaska Airlines Flight 825 returned safely to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport around 11 a.m. local time on Tuesday, June 3, after the crew reported a pressurization issue. The Boeing 737-900 was headed to Kahului International Airport in Hawaii. The FAA will investigate."