Alaska Airlines Boeing 787 Declares Emergency Mid-Atlantic, Safely Returns to Rome
An Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner departed Rome on Sunday, July 19, 2026, bound for Seattle on flight AS181. About two hours into the transatlantic crossing, approximately 34,000 feet over French airspace, the aircraft crew detected engine vibration and declared a general emergency. The jet performed a sharp U-turn over southeastern England and descended to 25,000 feet. The aircraft then executed a fuel-dumping procedure over the Atlantic off the French coast before returning to Rome Fiumicino Airport. The plane landed safely on runway 16R after five hours and 30 minutes in the air. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew. The airline had only five Boeing 787-9s in its fleet at the time. The aircraft underwent inspection on a remote stand, and Alaska Airlines scheduled a replacement departure for later that evening.
Key facts
- Flight AS181 departed Rome Fiumicino at 15:45 CEST on July 19, 2026
- Aircraft registration number N780HA, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Emergency declared approximately two hours into flight after engine vibration detected
- U-turn executed over southeastern United Kingdom at 34,000 feet
- Aircraft descended to 25,000 feet and dumped fuel over Atlantic
- Landed safely at Rome Fiumicino on runway 16R after 5 hours 30 minutes total flight time
- No injuries reported among passengers or crew
- Alaska Airlines fleet had only five Boeing 787-9 aircraft operating this route
Limits of this briefing
While engine vibration was confirmed as the cause by aviation tracking services, Alaska Airlines had not issued an official public statement as of reporting time. The precise nature of the vibration and whether it indicated a mechanical issue or sensor malfunction remains under investigation.
Sources
- AirLive: Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9 is declaring an emergency off France coast, after U-turn over UK Centre
- Travelers Today: Alaska Airlines 787-9 Declares Mid-Atlantic Emergency, Diverts to Rome With Engine Vibration Centre
- Aero News Journal: Alaska Airlines Boeing 787-9 Declares Emergency Off France After UK U-Turn and Safe Diversion to Rome Centre
- FTN News: Alaska Airlines 787-9 Declares Emergency Over Atlantic Centre
- IBTimes Australia: Alaska Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner Declares Emergency Over Europe, Returns Safely to Rome Airport Centre