Alaska Airlines Faces Legal Storm as Compensation Offered to Terrified Passengers Sparks Outcry
Passengers aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which experienced a mid-flight door plug detachment, were left shaken after the airline offered a meager $1,500 compensation. The incident occurred on Friday, prompting concerns of potential lawsuits against the airline.
The compensation package, including a ticket refund, was communicated to passengers via email, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Legal experts, such as Daniel Laurence from the Stritmatter Firm, argue that the offered amount is inadequate given the emotional distress experienced during the near-death encounter.
Laurence suggested that passengers may have grounds to pursue legal action for emotional distress inflicted upon them. He anticipates the possibility of lawsuits arising soon, emphasizing that the $1,500 compensation is insufficient considering the severity of the incident.
The alarming mid-flight ordeal involved the door plug detaching from the fuselage, resulting in passengers witnessing a night sky view at an altitude of 16,000 feet. Belongings were sucked out of the plane, oxygen masks deployed, and passengers endured a chaotic scene. The flight made an emergency landing in Portland, with no reported serious injuries.
Numerous passengers expressed their fear and trauma, with some recounting their belief that they were on the brink of death. A TikTok video posted by passenger Emma Vu captured the harrowing experience, along with her disappointment at the compensation offered by the airline.
While Alaska Airlines assured that they are working directly with affected passengers to provide alternative accommodations, the offered compensation has sparked criticism. Passengers like Vu are calling for more comprehensive compensation, including coverage for therapy expenses.
Legal proceedings may be on the horizon, pending a thorough investigation into the incident’s cause and potential liabilities involving Alaska Airlines, Boeing (the jet manufacturer), and Spirit AeroSystems (supplier of components for the 737 Max 9 jet). Each passenger’s individual experience and proximity to the incident are expected to play a role in determining damages in potential emotional distress suits.
The airline is already facing legal challenges, with Laurence leading another lawsuit related to a separate incident involving an off-duty pilot allegedly attempting to shut down a plane’s engines while under the influence of hallucinogenic substances.
Concerns about the safety of Boeing 737 Max 9s have intensified, leading to widespread inspections and grounding of several planes across the country. United Airlines recently reported incidents of loose bolts on door plugs in other planes, further raising anxieties about the potential for similar issues on other flights.
Alaska Airlines offers passengers mere $1,500 for horror flight as potential lawsuits loom https://t.co/LIaN34kmlv pic.twitter.com/34oAr7choA
— New York Post (@nypost) January 9, 2024