
A spokesperson for the airport said the passenger is no longer in custody and that at this point investigators do not believe this was “nefarious.”
SEATAC, Wash. — A passenger who made a bomb-related comment aboard an Alaska Airlines flight at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on Saturday has been released from custody, but charges are still pending the results of an investigation.
“You do not joke about security situations that just is not a good idea. Anything you joke about is going to be taken very seriously and is going to be investigated,” said Perry Cooper, a spokesperson for the airport.
The passenger allegedly made a “flippant remark” about a bomb to a flight attendant while the Walla Walla-bound plane was taxiing for takeoff.
The crew responded swiftly, diverting the aircraft to a remote runway.
Port of Seattle Police removed the individual from the plane and took him into custody.
All 68 passengers and four crew members aboard the flight were evacuated and required to undergo security screenings.
The incident shut down two runways, and caused at least six flight cancellations, two diversions, and delays to hundreds of other flights.
Port of Seattle Police later transported the passenger to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, according to Cooper.
While no explosives were found and investigators do not believe there was intent to harm, the case is still under review by the Port of Seattle Police and the FBI.
Because the comment was made aboard an aircraft, prosecutors could pursue felony charges.
According to Cooper, bomb threats at Sea-Tac are rare. While there have been a handful of incidents in recent years involving individuals mentioning bombs, those examples occurred inside the airport. What makes this case stand out is that the comment was made on the plane.
This incident happened just three weeks after a man was sentenced to 22 months in prison for making a bomb threat aboard a different Alaska Airlines flight traveling from Atlanta to Seattle.
In July 2023, Brandon Scott, handed a threatening note to a flight attendant midflight that stated, “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. Handle this matter carefully and exactly how I say, otherwise I will detonate the explosives and kill everyone on board. You are to alert the pilot to this note and keep the issue to yourself. Many innocent lives are in your hands, do as I demand and everyone will live. Deviate and the consequences will be deadly for all of us. I have nothing left to lose.”
The flight was diverted to Spokane International Airport, where Scott was arrested. No explosives were found, but the incident caused major disruptions, including a ground stop and delays for other flights.
In addition to time in prison, Scott was sentenced to three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay over $79,000 in restitution to Alaska Airlines and Spokane International Airport.
“Threatening the safety of a commercial flight is a serious federal crime that puts lives at risk, disrupts national air travel, and drains emergency resources,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker at the time of sentencing.