A pregnant Alaska Airlines flight attendant is suing Stumptown Coffee Roasters after a midair coffee maker explosion left her with severe burns and permanent scarring, according to a lawsuit.
The incident happened aboard an Alaska flight in April 2024, where a galley coffee maker “failed catastrophically” about 30 minutes before landing in Phoenix, according to a complaint filed in Seattle federal court.
Victoria Waldron, a Washington resident and flight attendant, was struck by scalding hot coffee, boiling water, and coffee grounds “with explosive force” when the machine suddenly erupted, the complaint alleges.
Waldron – who was pregnant at the time – reportedly suffered severe burns to her chest and other areas.
“She experienced immediate physical pain, distress, and fear for herself and her unborn child,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit alleges the incident was not random, but part of a broader pattern tied to new coffee packaging introduced by Portland-based Stumptown in late 2023.
Stumptown replaced Starbucks as Alaska Airlines’ onboard coffee supplier in December 2023 and introduced new packaging that allegedly was not designed or tested for use in aircraft conditions, according to the complaint.
Commercial aircraft cabins operate under lower pressure and high heat conditions, which can affect sealed products differently than at sea level.
According to the filing, those conditions caused pressure to build inside the coffee packs, leading to explosive failures during brewing.
The complaint cites at least nine similar burn incidents involving flight attendants before Waldron’s injury, with the Association of Flight Attendants publicly linking the issue to the new coffee packaging as early as February 2024.
Despite that, Stumptown continued supplying the same product without warnings, recalls, or design changes, according to the complaint.
Waldron’s injuries did not end with the initial burns. She now suffers from permanent scarring on her chest and a recurring heat-triggered rash that appears when exposed to sunlight or warmth, according to the complaint.
The filing states she will require ongoing dermatological care and may need future surgical or cosmetic treatment.
The lawsuit alleges product liability, including design defect and failure to warn, arguing the packaging was unsafe for its intended use in aircraft coffee makers.
Waldron is seeking damages for medical expenses, lost wages, permanent scarring, and emotional distress, among other claims.
The case was filed in US District Court in Seattle, where Alaska Airlines is headquartered and where the product was distributed for in-flight use.
Puget Press has reached out to Stumptown Coffee Roasters for comment.
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