Passenger Sues Alaska Airlines After Flight Attendants 'Bleeding' During Turbulence

A 48-year-old woman has filed a lawsuit against Alaska Airlines, claiming she suffered physical and emotional injuries during a turbulent flight from Seattle to Phoenix in December 2024. Natalie Russell, a passenger on the flight, filed the complaint in King County Superior Court in Washington state on May 13, according to Daily Mail.

Russell described a chaotic scene when the plane hit severe turbulence, saying flight attendants were bleeding, screaming, and moaning in pain. Passengers were thrown from their seats and banged their heads against overhead luggage bins. Russell herself injured her head, neck, and back, and said she broke down crying from fear.

As she exited the aircraft, Russell said she saw one flight attendant lying unconscious on the floor. Four crew members were later taken to the hospital. The lawsuit claims Russell suffered shock, mental anguish, and ongoing neck pain and stiffness. She is seeking compensation for her injuries, medical bills, and emotional distress, though she did not specify an amount.

The airline declined to comment on the ongoing legal case. In a statement, a spokesperson said, "Safety is our top priority. We take all reports and incidents involving turbulence seriously."

This incident follows a separate report where a Russian passenger described a turbulent flight from Phuket to Khabarovsk as "mass female panic, everyone screaming."