Man threatens violence against fellow Alaska Airlines passengers on recent Seattle flight

David Oliver, USA TODAY
·2 min read

A masked Alaska Airlines passenger threatened violence against everyone on a flight over the weekend, and that they should "die in the name of Jesus."

Alaska Airlines flight 422 departed at 11:10 p.m. from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Saturday and was headed for Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Soon after departure, the incident occurred.

"The man became extremely belligerent and physically aggressive during ascent," Alaska Airlines spokesperson Ray Lane told USA TODAY in a statement. "The passenger was quickly subdued by the flight crew with the assistance of two able-bodied passengers and a law enforcement officer who happened to be flying on the aircraft."

The Seattle Times posted video of the incident, provided by a passenger, in which you can hear him say he will kill everyone on the plane and to "die in the name of Jesus."

A crew member can be heard over the loudspeaker announcing they would be landing at the nearest possible airport and that "we have everything under control."

"The flight returned safely to Sea-Tac, where additional law enforcement personnel were standing by to take the passenger into custody. The flight was canceled and the remaining guests were booked on the next available flights to Chicago," Lane added. USA TODAY has reached out to the Port of Seattle for more information.

Flying during the coronavirus pandemic is already proving stressful enough for many, with concerns about distancing on planes and adherence to mask policies.

Three people who traveled on a recent regional Delta Air Lines flight have tested positive for COVID-19.

The passengers became symptomatic on July 7, a day after the July 6 flight, according to a Facebook post from the Rensselaer County government in upstate New York.

"Any passengers on the flight are advised to call their home county health department," the post also said.

Contributing: Dawn Gilbertson

Sigh: With little oversight, patchwork of airline coronavirus policies leaves flyers wary

Yikes: Three people who traveled on recent Delta flight have tested positive for COVID-19

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alaska Airlines: Man threatens violence against everyone on plane