Alaska Airlines passenger faces federal charges for attempting to open cabin door

December 18, 2025 at 06:10 PM•1 min read

Alaska Airlines confirmed that a passenger has been charged federally following an alleged attempt to open an aircraft door during flight.

Key Points

1A passenger on an Alaska Airlines flight was detained immediately upon landing following a severe in-flight disturbance.
2The individual faces serious US federal charges related to the alleged attempt to open an aircraft cabin door during the flight.
3Federal authorities, including the FBI, are leading the investigation into the passenger misconduct and security breach.
4Alaska Airlines confirmed that the attempted door opening occurred while the aircraft was airborne, posing a safety risk.

A passenger aboard an Alaska Airlines flight is facing serious federal charges after allegedly attempting to open a cabin door while the aircraft was airborne. The incident, which constitutes a severe in-flight disturbance and a threat to aviation safety, resulted in the passenger being detained upon landing and subsequently charged by US authorities. Specific details regarding the flight number, origin, and destination remain undisclosed, but the swift action taken by the flight crew and federal law enforcement underscores the zero-tolerance policy for such breaches of security.

Attempting to open an aircraft door during flight is a critical violation of federal law, particularly because pressurized cabin doors cannot be opened at cruising altitude due to the differential pressure. However, such attempts are treated with the utmost seriousness by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The charges typically filed in these cases include interference with flight crew members and attendants, a felony offense carrying substantial penalties. Alaska Airlines has confirmed its full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.