Alaska Airlines Flight Returns to Miami Gate After Reported Passenger Threats

Alaska Airlines Flight 305 returned to the gate Sunday evening after pilots reported threats from passengers and requested a lockdown protocol during taxi at Miami International Airport. Deputies later removed two people, and investigators found no credible threat.

The Seattle-bound aircraft stopped taxiing, shut down an engine and awaited law enforcement assistance. Passengers then left the plane while deputies examined the reported disturbance.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said airport district deputies reached the gate at approximately 6:40 p.m. Officials cleared the aircraft after investigating what they described as possible suspicious activity.

The flight eventually continued to Seattle. It departed at around 8:45 p.m., roughly two hours after its scheduled departure.

The incident began after flight attendants reported threats from customers on board. The pilot told air traffic control, “We have a customer disturbance on board right now, with threats coming from customers.”

The pilot also said, “The flight attendants have received threats from customers on board the aircraft.” When air traffic control asked whether law enforcement should be contacted, the crew answered, “Absolutely.”

Deputies removed two passengers before the plane resumed its trip

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said deputies temporarily deplaned everyone “out of an abundance of caution” while they investigated. The two passengers identified as disruptive were removed and rebooked on another flight.

Alaska Airlines said the pair received a temporary ban from flying with the carrier while it conducts an internal review. The airline described the passengers as disruptive during taxi.

“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 flight then continued its journey to Seattle. The safety of our guests and crew is always our highest priority.”

An Alaska spokesperson provided the statement.

The sheriff’s office said its investigation found no credible threat. No injuries or weapons were found, according to the incident details.

“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. Out of an abundance of caution, passengers were temporarily deplaned while deputies investigated the incident. The investigation determined there was no credible threat.”

The sheriff’s office issued that account of the response.

The crew stopped the aircraft during taxi

Flight 305 pushed back from Gate E6 at 6:29 p.m. EDT, according to the incident timeline. The aircraft was a Boeing 737-800 registered as N592AS.

While the plane moved toward departure, flight attendants reported verbal threats from at least two passengers. One report described a passenger threatening to “take over” the aircraft.

The pilots halted the aircraft on the taxiway. They set the parking brake and shut down the engines before requesting assistance.

The crew also sealed the reinforced flight deck door. That prevented unauthorized access while deputies prepared to meet the aircraft.

The pilots then arranged for the plane to return to Gate E6. Because the pushback tug had already disconnected, ground staff needed additional time to bring the aircraft back.

The cockpit exchange gave air traffic control the operational picture. The pilot said, “We want to go into a lockdown protocol.” The pilot also reported, “Last we heard from the flight attendants is we had a customer threat to take the aircraft over.”

The plane remained at the gate while deputies questioned those involved and checked the cabin. Passengers waited in the terminal during the investigation.

The Seattle flight left more than two hours late

The scheduled departure time was 6:29 p.m. EDT. The actual departure came at approximately 8:45 p.m. EDT, producing a delay of about two hours and 16 minutes.

Most passengers reboarded after the security sweep ended. The aircraft arrived in Seattle at approximately 10:00 p.m. PDT.

The plane continued without further incident after authorities cleared it. The two removed travelers did not rejoin the flight.

The response followed a precautionary sequence

The crew’s actions unfolded in a defined order:

1. Flight attendants reported threats involving passengers.
2. Pilots stopped the aircraft during taxi and set the parking brake.
3. The crew shut down an engine and requested law enforcement support.
4. Deputies responded to the gate at approximately 6:40 p.m.
5. Passengers deplaned while investigators assessed the report.
6. Deputies removed two passengers and cleared the aircraft.
7. Alaska rebooked the pair, and the flight continued to Seattle.

The temporary deplaning allowed deputies to investigate without keeping the cabin occupied. Officials later determined that the reported conduct did not amount to a credible threat to the aircraft.

Federal aviation rules allow civil penalties of up to $37,000 per violation for unruly passenger conduct. The incident details identify an internal airline travel ban for the two passengers, while the sheriff’s office described its law enforcement finding as no credible threat.

The flight was reported on August 9, 2026. Alaska’s statement said the airline’s safety priority covered both passengers and crew as the internal review proceeds.