Alaska Airlines Flight 322, a Boeing 737-900ER operating from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, diverted to Yakima Air Terminal on the evening of November 11, 2026. The diversion occurred after the aircraft encountered severe wind storms that forced the crew to abort their approach to Seattle.
The plane landed safely at Yakima Air Terminal at approximately 9:25 pm. During ground operations, engineers discovered a faulty fuel indicator, preventing the aircraft from departing and grounding it through the night.
Over 130 passengers and crew remained stranded at Yakima Air Terminal overnight. Local hotels and rental car agencies were
closed and unavailable at that hour, leaving passengers without lodging or transportation options. The airline classified the diversion as weather-related, which under federal guidelines excludes mandatory hotel accommodations.
Christopher Hopkins, Director of Yakima Air Terminal, stated, “We realised quickly that with over 130 people stranded and local hotels completely inaccessible at that hour, we needed immediate emergency intervention to maintain basic comfort and safety.” The Yakima County Office of Emergency Management, led by Tony Miller, coordinated with the American Red Cross to dispatch emergency cots, blankets, infant formula, and drinking water to the terminal.
Horizon Air, Alaska Airlines’ regional sister
carrier, provided emergency meals to passengers and crew during the overnight delay. A senior aviation passenger rights advocate noted the swift community response, saying, “The prompt mobilisation of community resources by county emergency managers and the Red Cross prevented a difficult weather diversion from escalating into a severe humanitarian breakdown.”
Engineers arrived early on November 12 to inspect and certify the fuel indicator, clearing the aircraft for flight. Flight 322 departed Yakima at 2:02 pm and landed safely in Seattle later that afternoon.
The incident highlights challenges arising from the combination of extreme weather and mechanical issues during flight operations,
particularly regarding airline responsibilities and passenger support during extended diversions to smaller regional airports with limited facilities.
