- Alaska Airlines pilots initiated a cockpit lockdown after two passengers made threats during the aircraft’s taxi in Miami.
- Law enforcement removed the disruptive individuals at Gate E6 after the Boeing 737 returned from the runway.
- The sheriff’s office found no credible threat and the flight eventually continued its journey to Seattle.
Pilots placed the cockpit into lockdown Sunday after passengers threatened Alaska Airlines Flight 305 during taxi at Miami International Airport. The Miami-to-Seattle flight returned to gate E6, where deputies met the aircraft and removed two disruptive guests.
The incident unfolded on August 9, 2026, after the Boeing 737 pushed back at about 6:29 p.m. A reported transmission described threats against flight attendants, including a warning that someone would “take the aircraft over.”
The crew shut down an engine and set the parking brake while the aircraft remained on the ground. Law enforcement arrived after the return to the gate, which occurred at about 6:47 p.m.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded at approximately 6:40 p.m. The agency later found no credible threat.
Alaska Airlines said two guests became disruptive during taxi. The carrier said both passengers were removed and temporarily banned from flying with the airline.
Deputies cleared the aircraft after finding no credible threat
The sheriff’s office said an attendant reported possible suspicious activity involving passengers at one of the airport’s gates. Deputies from its Airport District responded and investigated the two individuals.
“This evening, at approximately 6:40 p.m., Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Airport District deputies responded to one of the gates at Miami International Airport after a flight attendant reported possible suspicious activity involving passengers.”
The department said the two people were rebooked on another flight. After the aircraft received clearance, passengers reboarded and the flight continued without further incident.
“The investigation determined there was no credible threat. The two individuals involved were rebooked on another flight. The aircraft was cleared, passengers were permitted to reboard, and the flight continued without further incident.”
The findings shifted the description from a potential takeover attempt to disruptive passenger behavior. The passengers’ reported statements nevertheless prompted the crew to follow its lockdown procedure.
The crew stopped the aircraft before departure
The reported radio traffic described a customer disturbance with threats coming from passengers. The crew told ground personnel it wanted to enter lockdown protocol, shut down the engine and keep the parking brake set.
One account said the cockpit door could not be opened until the threat had left the aircraft. The plane stayed at the gate while deputies handled the passengers.
Alaska Airlines gave this account of the incident:
“On August 9, two guests onboard Alaska Airlines Flight 305 from Miami (MIA) to Seattle (SEA) were disruptive during the aircraft’s taxi. The aircraft returned to the gate where it was met by law enforcement and the passengers were removed and temporarily banned from flying with us.”
The airline’s statement did not describe the passengers’ conduct in further detail. The sheriff’s office said the aircraft ultimately resumed its journey.
What happened to the Miami-Seattle flight
| Event | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Route | Miami (MIA) to Seattle (SEA) |
| Aircraft | Boeing 737 |
| Pushback | About 6:29 p.m. |
| Deputy response | Approximately 6:40 p.m. |
| Return to gate | About 6:47 p.m. |
| Airport location | Gate E6 at Miami International Airport |
| Final outcome | Two passengers rebooked; flight continued |
The crew’s reported transmission identified threats to flight attendants before the plane returned. It also described the cockpit lockdown as a response to the disturbance, not as confirmation that a passenger had gained access to the flight deck.
After deputies cleared the aircraft, the remaining passengers were allowed back aboard. The two individuals involved took another flight, while the original aircraft proceeded to Seattle without further incident.
