Diverted Alaska Airlines Passengers Sleep On Red Cross Cots As Carrier Won't Cover Hotels

Published Nov 11, 2026, 6:09 AM EST Luke has over a decade of experience as a travel writer and aviation analyst. As a passionate traveler based across the Middle East and Asia, Luke offers strong insights into the industry. Based in South East Asia. Passengers on an Alaska Airlines flight from Dallas to Seattle spent the night sleeping on Red Cross cots inside a regional airport terminal after their aircraft was diverted. Despite apparently promising to cover hotel costs, Alaska did not provide rooms or meal vouchers for the 127 passengers, leaving local emergency services, the Red Cross and airport staff to intervene. Flight AS322 diverted to Yakima Air Terminal (YKM) on November 7 after abandoning its approach to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) amid severe weather. However, a faulty fuel indicator then grounded the Boeing 737-900ER overnight. Alaska reportedly did not provide rooms or vouchers because the initial diversion was weather-related. Weather Diversion Turns Into Overnight Stay With No Hotel Credit: Nestor Salgado | Shutterstock AS322 — with 127 passengers and eight crew on board — departed Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) at 6:56 PM local time on Saturday, around 50 minutes behind schedule. The Boeing 737-900ER, registered as N277AK, was en route to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) when poor weather forced the crew to abandon its approach. Credit: SF Flight Tracker The flight diverted to Yakima, roughly 100 miles from Seattle, and landed safely at around 9:25 PM. However, while the 737 was being refueled, a faulty fuel indicator was discovered, grounding the plane until engineers coming from Seattle could inspect it. According to NBC Right Now, passengers remained on board for more than two hours after landing and were not allowed to disembark until around 12:15 AM. They were then informed that the flight would not continue until the following day. According to passenger Michael Pinter, those on the flight were "offered rooms" by an Alaska rep, who later went home at around midnight. However, because Alaska classified the original diversion as weather-related, it considered the disruption outside its control and ultimately did not provide hotel accommodation or meal vouchers, according to the Yakima Herald-Republic. Simple Flying contacted Alaska Airlines for comment, but a representative could not be reached before publication. Red Cross Steps In To Help Stranded Passengers Credit: Robin Guess | Shutterstock With up to 127 passengers needing somewhere to stay, Yakima Air Terminal Director Christopher Hopkins arranged assistance from the American Red Cross. The organization brought in various supplies, including cots, blankets, toiletries, baby formula and water. Staff from Alaska's subsidiary Horizon Air also bought Taco Bell for passengers on Saturday night, while local authorities provided breakfast burritos the following morning. It is reported that around 50 passengers ultimately spent the night in the terminal, sleeping on cots provided by the Red Cross, while the remaining passengers presumably made their own hotel or onward travel arrangements. Passengers' bags also remained on the aircraft, and they were told that if they left the terminal, there would be no re-entry as TSA facilities were unmanned. Date November 7, 2026 Airline Alaska Airlines Flight code AS322 Plane Boeing 737-900ER Passengers 127 From Dallas To Seattle Fate Diverted to Yakima due to weather, then grounded overnight by a faulty fuel indicator Later that night, at around 4:00 AM, passengers were forced to move out of the secure area. According to Pinter, many ended up sleeping in an under-construction office and meeting space for the remainder of the night. Members of Alaska's maintenance team arrived on Sunday morning to inspect the aircraft, which eventually departed Yakima at 2:02 PM as flight AS9230, landing in Seattle around 30 minutes later. Yakima is a regular diversion airport for Seattle-bound flights impacted by poor weather. Its own scheduled service is limited, with Horizon Air operating two daily flights to Seattle under the Alaska Airlines brand. Yakima has handled notable diversions before, including two Seattle-bound Delta flights with more than 300 passengers in March this year, prompting changes to the airport's readiness program. Why Alaska Did Not Provide Hotels Or Meal Vouchers Credit: Nestor Salgado | Shutterstock Like most major US airlines, Alaska determines its hotel and meal assistance based on whether a disruption is within its control. According to its website, the carrier will offer complimentary hotel rooms and ground transportation for overnight disruptions it is responsible for, provided passengers are at least 100 miles from home. It also offers meals for delays of three hours or more. However, it excludes disruptions caused by weather, air traffic control, passenger illness, and other circumstances deemed outside its control. The situation at Yakima is not so straightforward. While the flight was initially diverted for a reason outside the airline's control, the aircraft was ultimately grounded by a mechanical fault rather than the weather. The rules determining which disruptions airlines are held responsible for are also set to change next year. Under a new DOT rule, ten causes will be excluded from an airline's control, including unscheduled maintenance that cannot be deferred. As Simple Flying previously explored, this could mean fewer disruptions qualify for hotel accommodation and other assistance.