The Alaska Airlines Stumptown coffee lawsuit is a product liability case filed in March 2026 by flight attendant Victoria Waldron against Stumptown Coffee Corp., alleging that the roaster’s packaging failed catastrophically inside an aircraft coffee maker and sprayed scalding liquid onto her body, leaving permanent burn scars.1KPTV. Flight Attendant Sues Stumptown Coffee Over Midair Burn Injuries Allegedly Tied to Packaging Failures The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. Alaska Airlines is not a defendant.
What Happened on the Flight
On April 1, 2024, Waldron was working the galley on an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Phoenix. About 30 minutes before landing, the aircraft’s B/E Aerospace coffee maker failed in what the complaint calls a catastrophic manner, spraying scalding coffee and hot water and grounds onto her chest and other parts of her body.1KPTV. Flight Attendant Sues Stumptown Coffee Over Midair Burn Injuries Allegedly Tied to Packaging Failures She was pregnant at the time.2Aviation A2Z. Alaska Airlines Attendant Files Lawsuit Against Stumptown Coffee Over Exploding Bags
According to the complaint, Stumptown’s coffee packaging was not designed for the pressure changes and high brewing temperatures inside commercial aircraft. Pressure built up during brewing, and the failure sent hot liquid and grounds erupting from the brew basket.3KATU. Flight Attendant Sues Stumptown Coffee, Claims It Exploded and Burned Her
Waldron alleges permanent burn scars on her chest and elsewhere, along with a heat-triggered rash that worsens with heat and sunlight. The complaint says she may need ongoing dermatological care and possible cosmetic or surgical treatment.2Aviation A2Z. Alaska Airlines Attendant Files Lawsuit Against Stumptown Coffee Over Exploding Bags
The Claims Against Stumptown
The case is Waldron v. Stumptown Coffee Corp., No. 2:26-cv-01058, filed on March 27, 2026, by the Choate Law Firm of Juneau, Alaska.4Law360. Waldron v. Stumptown Coffee Corp, 2:26-cv-01058 It raises three product liability theories:
- Defective design. Stumptown allegedly failed to design, test, or validate its packaging for use at altitude, where cabin pressure and brewing heat combine in ways standard packaging is not built to handle.5KOMO News. Flight Attendant Sues Stumptown Coffee, Claims It Exploded and Burned Her
- Failure to warn. Despite alleged knowledge of at least nine earlier similar incidents, Stumptown did not warn users, recall the product, or modify the packaging.6AOL. Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Claims Stumptown Coffee Packaging Caused Burns
- Breach of implied warranty. The packaging was unfit for its intended commercial use, and safer alternative designs were available.2Aviation A2Z. Alaska Airlines Attendant Files Lawsuit Against Stumptown Coffee Over Exploding Bags
Waldron is seeking damages for physical pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, medical expenses, lost earnings, and emotional distress, in an amount to be determined at trial. She has requested a jury.3KATU. Flight Attendant Sues Stumptown Coffee, Claims It Exploded and Burned Her
The complaint draws a direct comparison to the airline’s previous coffee supplier. Before Stumptown began supplying Alaska Airlines in December 2023, the airline served Starbucks, which the complaint says did not cause similar problems.3KATU. Flight Attendant Sues Stumptown Coffee, Claims It Exploded and Burned Her
Prior Incidents and Union Warnings
Waldron’s burn was not the first. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents Alaska cabin crew, documented at least nine flight attendant burn injuries involving scalding coffee and grounds spraying from the brew basket before April 2024.7AFA Alaska. Alaska Management Refuses to Remove Dangerous Coffee Makers From Service Despite Injury Risks to Flight Attendants
The union’s safety committee formally asked Alaska Airlines to pull the coffee makers from service until the problem was fixed. Management denied that request. The union called the decision “a clear violation of their own core value of ‘owning safety'” and “a shocking level of negligence,” and announced plans to file a formal FAA complaint and a contractual grievance under a safe-workplace clause in the collective bargaining agreement.7AFA Alaska. Alaska Management Refuses to Remove Dangerous Coffee Makers From Service Despite Injury Risks to Flight Attendants
The lawsuit alleges Alaska Airlines had contacted Stumptown about the complaints no later than February 20, 2024, and that on February 28, the union’s executive counsel explicitly called for removal of the coffee pots from service. Stumptown allegedly continued shipping the same packaging without changes. Waldron was burned roughly five weeks later.8OregonLive. Suit Claims Stumptown Coffee Product Catastrophically Failed, Scalding Flight Attendant A union update on April 18, 2024, said management had finally taken an initial protective step, though the update did not describe what it was.7AFA Alaska. Alaska Management Refuses to Remove Dangerous Coffee Makers From Service Despite Injury Risks to Flight Attendants
Why Alaska Airlines Is Not a Defendant
Stumptown Coffee Corp. is the only defendant.8OregonLive. Suit Claims Stumptown Coffee Product Catastrophically Failed, Scalding Flight Attendant The airline declined to comment, citing active litigation.6AOL. Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Claims Stumptown Coffee Packaging Caused Burns The complaint still puts the airline squarely in the story: it alleges Alaska was warned about the malfunctions roughly 40 days before Waldron’s injury, based on union tracking. The available filings and reporting do not explain why the airline was not sued.
Where the Case Stands
As of mid-2026, the case is in its early stages. No motions, scheduling orders, settlement talks, or trial dates have been publicly reported. Stumptown is aware of the lawsuit but has offered no public comment.1KPTV. Flight Attendant Sues Stumptown Coffee Over Midair Burn Injuries Allegedly Tied to Packaging Failures