A stowaway tried to fly on Delta Air Lines plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Christmas Eve.
The unticketed passenger was discovered while the plane was still taxiing out for takeoff to Honolulu, Delta Air Lines and he Transportation Security Administration confirmed.
The stowaway went through a TSA security checkpoint the evening before the flight DL487 but wasn’t holding a boarding pass, an airport spokesperson said. The next day, the person gained access to the loading bridge without a scanned ticket at the gate.
Once the person was discovered, the Airbus A321neo (registration N538DN) returned to the gate to remove the unticketed passenger, Delta said.
Port of Seattle police officers were dispatched to gate B1 at the airport around 1:05 p.m. for “a report of a suspicious circumstance” on the Delta flight. The person “ran out” of the aircraft before officers arrived, Cooper told CNN Friday.
“The aircraft returned to the terminal and the subject departed the aircraft,” the Port of Seattle said. “With the help of video surveillance, POSPD were able to locate the subject in a terminal restroom. The subject was arrested for criminal trespass.”
Delta apologized to passengers and thanked them for their patience in a statement this week.
“As there are no matters more important than safety and security, Delta people followed procedures to have an unticketed passenger removed from the flight and then apprehended. We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels and thank them for their patience and cooperation.”
Delta statement
The flight was delayed by two hours and 15 minutes. After the rescreening, it continued to Honolulu at 3 p.m.
