A Houston-bound Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, en route from Tokyo, was forced to divert to Seattle on Saturday morning after a passenger allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit door mid-flight. According to officials at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, both passengers and flight crew intervened to restrain the individual, ensuring the safety of those onboard. The flight, originally scheduled to land at George Bush Intercontinental Airport at 8:45 a.m. local time, had to make an unscheduled stop in Seattle due to the alarming incident.
Passenger in Medical Crisis Escorted Off Plane and Flight Resumes Journey to Houston
Upon landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, officers from the Port of Seattle Police Department boarded the aircraft to assess the situation. Authorities later confirmed that the individual in question was undergoing a medical crisis. Social media footage showed law enforcement escorting a man in handcuffs off the plane while passengers remained seated. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transported the unidentified individual to a nearby hospital for further evaluation and care.
Tokyo-to-Houston Flight Diverts to Seattle After Passenger Tries to Open Exit Mid-AirDespite the in-flight disruption and subsequent delay, the flight eventually resumed its journey. The plane landed safely at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston at approximately 12:15 p.m. local time, nearly four hours behind schedule. Houston airport officials provided confirmation of the revised arrival time and noted that all passengers were safely transported without further incident.
Second Passenger Removed for Unruly Behavior with No Arrests Reported in Either Case
In a separate but unrelated incident, a second passenger was also removed from the plane while it was still in Seattle. Authorities cited “unruly behavior” as the reason for this individual’s removal, although no specific details were disclosed. Unlike the earlier emergency, this removal occurred without any further disruption or resistance, and the two events were not connected according to officials.
At this time, Seattle officials have not confirmed any arrests related to either incident. While one individual was taken for medical evaluation and another removed for behavioral concerns, neither case appears to have escalated into criminal charges. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other agencies are likely to review the events as part of standard safety procedures following mid-flight disturbances.
