Alaska Airlines Passenger Sues After Flight Plunge Left Crew Bleeding

An Alaska Airlines passenger is suing the airline after a turbulent flight back in December 2024. Natalie Russell was traveling with Alaska from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) when the flight encountered severe turbulence that shook the plane violently and caused a drop in altitude of about 200 feet (60 meters).

This turbulence left several passengers injured with their heads slamming into the overhead compartments, and some flight attendants also sustained injuries. Russell was “deeply traumatized” by the incident, according to The Seattle Times, and is now suing the airline, arguing that if it had known turbulence was coming, it should have canceled or diverted the flight. The flight was operating as AS700 on December 26, 2024.

A Turbulent Trip To Phoenix Leaves Passenger Traumatized

In December 2024, Russell’s flight to Phoenix experienced severe turbulence, throwing both passengers and crew around the cabin and causing many to hit their heads on the overhead lockers. This was even though many had their seatbelts buckled. The female passenger is now asking a judge to compel the airline to cover her medical bills incurred after the flight.

According to a report by KPTV, Russell now experiences emotional trauma from the flight, and if the airline knew it was going to be a turbulent trip, then they should have rerouted the service or canceled the service entirely. The lawsuit does not specify a dollar amount. In a statement, Alaska said it prioritizes safety.

“While we do not comment on ongoing litigation, safety is our highest priority, and we take all reports and incidents involving turbulence seriously.”

“Extreme Terror” Inflicted On Those Onboard

According to Oregon Live, Russell’s account of the trip was that the flight attendant had made an annoucement onboard that the airline was expecting some turbulence for the final hour of the service. From this, Russell’s claim suggests that the airline was aware of the incoming turbulence and had the opportunity to avoid the area, but instead, ‘extreme terror’ was inflicted on those onboard.

As the aircraft entered turbulence, the plane was thrown around, and it suddenly dropped by about 200 feet (60 meters) in a few seconds. This saw Russell’s cell phone fly out of her hands, her earbuds fall out, and drinks spill. This resulted in both flight attendants and other passengers receiving injuries, with Russell recounting a flight attendant bleeding profusely.

Further recounts that the turbulence led to a flight attendant ending up on the floor, and they were in such pain from the injuries inflicted that they were ‘screaming and moaning loudly, clearly in extreme pain’. Russell has filed her suit in King County Superior Court in Seattle, Washington.

Turbulence Hospitalized Four Crew Members

Simple Flying reported on the flight back in 2024, detailing the turbulence and injuries sustained by crew members, resulting in four being hospitalized. Furthermore, for Russell, her claim includes photos taken of the cabin onboard following the incident, which identified a hole in the cabin ceiling, which was believed to have been caused by a passenger’s head being struck.

The NTSB initially investigated the service, and its report stated that a significant meteorological advisory had been issued due to weather conditions along the flight path and that it expected occasional severe turbulence. The pilots still decided to fly to Phoenix and claimed that, had the trip been diverted, it would still have required the plane to fly through turbulent air. Flight characteristics detailed in the table below:

Passenger lawsuits can sometimes be successful, but this would require the airline to prove that they were negligent and failed to warn the passengers onboard that turbulence was expected. Alaska Airlines remains unable to comment on the current lawsuit due to ongoing litigation.

Credits: Alaska Airlines