Four flight attendants from Alaska Airlines are suing Boeing following a mid-air incident involving a cabin panel blowout on a 737 MAX 9 aircraft. The incident occurred in January 2024 during Flight 1282, shortly after takeoff from Portland International Airport. The attendants claim they suffered physical and psychological injuries as a result of the event.

In separate lawsuits filed in King County Superior Court in Seattle, the flight attendants—Adam Fisher, Michelle Hughes, Steven Maller, and Christine Vasconcellos—are seeking compensation for both past and future economic damages. They allege that the incident caused severe emotional distress and other financial burdens.

"As a direct and proximate result of the ejection of the door plug and the resulting decompression, Plaintiff sustained physical and mental injuries, severe emotional distress, and other damages of a personal and pecuniary nature," the complaints state. Hughes expressed the impact of the incident, saying, "This act of negligence caused both physical and mental damages, which profoundly impaired my personal and professional life. It also resulted in many challenges to return to my dream job that I had proudly made my career."

Vasconcellos added, "This event is something that never should have happened. I'm committed to seeking justice, accountability and making the sky a safe place."

The lawsuits accuse Boeing of product liability, claiming the company delivered an unsafe aircraft and exhibited negligence in its manufacturing practices. Tracy Brammeier, the attorney representing the flight attendants, emphasized their bravery during the incident. "Each of the four flight attendants acted courageously, following their training and putting their passengers’ safety first while fearing for their lives. They deserve to be wholly compensated for this life-altering, traumatic experience caused by Boeing's negligence in the 737 MAX production process," she stated.

Boeing has declined to comment on the lawsuits but has previously stated its commitment to cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the incident. The NTSB criticized Boeing for inadequate training and oversight, noting that four essential bolts were not installed during the aircraft's production. Fortunately, the plane made a safe emergency landing, and no serious injuries were reported among the passengers.