On Sunday, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner faced an emergency shortly after its departure from Rome, heading to Seattle. The flight crew identified a mechanical problem during the transatlantic flight, prompting the aircraft to return to Italy. Flight AS181 took off from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) at 3:45 PM CEST, aiming for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Initial flight tracking indicated that the plane ascended normally to a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet and traversed French airspace before making a U-turn about two hours into the journey.
The aircraft turned back over southeastern England and descended to 25,000 feet while retracing its path over western France. While flying over the Atlantic, the crew declared a general emergency by activating the transponder to squawk 7700.
Reasons Behind the Turnaround of Flight AS181
According to Alaska Airlines, the flight crew detected a mechanical issue shortly after takeoff, which led them to declare an emergency for priority assistance from air traffic control. In a statement released on July 19, the airline confirmed that the aircraft landed safely without any incidents during the landing phase. "The crew declared an emergency to ensure priority handling from air traffic control, and the aircraft landed safely without any issues. After further assessment, we concluded that the aircraft needed additional maintenance, leading to the cancellation of the flight," the airline stated.
Flight tracking data earlier indicated that the aircraft performed maneuvers typical of a fuel-dumping procedure over open water prior to its return. Long-haul aircraft like the Boeing 787-9 may release fuel to decrease weight before making an unscheduled landing. Following thorough inspections, Alaska Airlines canceled Flight AS181, citing the need for further maintenance. The airline is currently assisting affected passengers in arranging alternative accommodations for the evening.
The Rome-Seattle route is among Alaska Airlines' latest international offerings. The airline operates daily nonstop flights on this route from April 28 to October 23, 2026, with departures from Seattle generally scheduled for 5:30 PM and arrivals in Rome at 1:15 PM.
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