Alaska Airlines Flight Lands Safely in Burbank After ‘Dirty-Sock’ Odor Causes Flight Attendant Headache
PORTLAND, Ore. — An Alaska Airlines flight bound for Southern California was met with an unusual inflight disruption on Saturday afternoon after crew members reported a temporary foul odor in the cabin shortly after departure.
Alaska Airlines Flight AS1386 departed Gate 7 at Portland International Airport (PDX) at 2:55 p.m. PDT on Saturday, October 24, 2026, bound for Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR).
Shortly after taking off from Runway 28L and climbing toward its cruising altitude of 35,000 feet, pilots were notified of a distinct, foul smell near the back of the cabin. Crew members described the scent as resembling “dirty socks.”
While the odor proved to be temporary, it was strong enough to cause a slight headache for one of the flight attendants on board. Despite the incident, the flight crew maintained normal operations, and the flight continued on its scheduled route without requiring a diversion.
The aircraft—an 18-year-old Boeing 737-800 registered as N589AS—landed safely on runway 08 at Burbank approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes after taking off from Portland.
Unusual cabin odors, often referred to in the aviation industry as “smell events” or “fume events,” can stem from a variety of sources, including issues with the aircraft’s bleed air ventilation system, de-icing fluid residue, or localized cabin spills. Maintenance crews typically inspect aircraft following such reports to identify and resolve the root cause.
No emergency was declared, and no additional injuries or medical transports were reported upon arrival in Burbank.
