An Alaska Airlines flight was canceled Monday evening after two flight attendants became ill. The airline said the cause was likely an “unknown odor” at the rear of the plane.
Flight ASA 828, which was scheduled to depart Honolulu for Anchorage at 11:45 p.m., was in the process of boarding when two female crew members reported feeling ill.
Around 11:15 p.m., Honolulu Emergency Medical Services treated them in “serious condition” and transported them to the emergency room, a Honolulu EMS spokesperson told USA TODAY.
“This incident was properly reported to the appropriate authorities for further action,” Alaska said.
Cruise height: Yes, you can inhale toxic fumes during your flight
The two crew members have now received medical clearance to resume flying.
Almost all aircraft have ventilation systems designed to bring fresh air through the engines without the use of a filter. Sometimes toxic fumes from other parts of the aircraft can be sucked into the main cabin and, because there is no filter, contaminate the air. Exposure to toxic fumes can make people feel dizzy, nauseous, or have headaches or cramps.
Research has shown that incidents involving toxic fumes in aircraft are rare: between 0.09 and 3.9 per 1,000 flights. That’s about two to three incidents per day in the US
Because flight attendants spend so much time in airplane cabins, they are at the greatest risk of exposure to toxic fumes.
Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Unknown odor’ on Alaska Airlines plane sends crew members to hospital
