Alaska Passengers Sleep On Cots After Yakima Diversion

Passengers on Alaska Airlines Flight AS322 spent the night sleeping on Red Cross cots at the Yakima Air Terminal after their flight from Dallas to Seattle was diverted due to severe weather. The Boeing 737-900ER landed safely in Yakima around 9:25 PM but remained grounded overnight following a discovery of a faulty fuel indicator while refueling, preventing passengers from disembarking until approximately midnight. Alaska Airlines stated it would not cover hotel costs or provide meal vouchers because the initial diversion was caused by weather conditions rather than mechanical failure affecting the journey itself. Local emergency services and airport staff assisted 127 stranded travelers and eight crew members with cots, blankets, water, baby formula, and meals provided by Horizon Air.