An Alaska Airlines flight attendant has filed a federal lawsuit saying she was burned midflight when a Stumptown Coffee package "exploded" as the aircraft descended. The complaint says the incident happened about 30 minutes before the plane landed in Phoenix on April 1, 2024, and that the attendant, who the suit says was pregnant at the time, suffered burns and permanent scarring that may require further surgery. The filing seeks damages for physical pain and suffering, scarring, medical expenses and lost earnings, and requests a jury trial.
The filing in Seattle
The suit was filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle and was brought on behalf of Victoria Waldron by the Choate Law Firm, according to KATU. Court papers say Waldron was burned on an Alaska Airlines flight and has experienced permanent scarring and emotional distress. The complaint does not list a specific dollar amount in the initial filing but seeks compensatory damages and a jury trial.
Alaska's switch to Stumptown
Alaska Airlines announced a partnership with Portland-based Stumptown Coffee in October 2023 and rolled out a custom blend it said was developed to taste better at cruising altitudes, according to an airline press release. The carrier said it conducted extensive brewing and taste tests for in-flight service when it moved from Starbucks to Stumptown last year, aiming to upgrade the cabin coffee experience.
Union and prior complaints
The Association of Flight Attendants and Waldron’s attorneys say the lawsuit alleges Stumptown failed to design, test or validate its packaging for high-altitude service and that at least nine other flight attendants had been burned in similar incidents, according to KATU. The filing also alleges Alaska Airlines alerted Stumptown to complaints no later than February 20, 2024, and that the company did not adequately address those reports.
Safety context
Regulators have previously taken action when coffee makers or single-serve brewing systems caused burn injuries, underscoring how defective equipment or packaging can pose serious risks. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a high-profile recall of certain single-serve brewers after hundreds of reports that machines sprayed hot liquid and grounds, and later approved a civil-penalty settlement with the manufacturer. That recall and settlement are part of the broader context for product-liability claims.
What happens next
The lawsuit will now move through the federal civil-court process, where discovery, depositions and scheduling orders could lead to motions or a trial. Waldron’s complaint was filed by the Choate Law Firm in Juneau, and the firm’s website lists its Juneau office for media or public inquiries.
