SEATAC, Wash. — Despite the deadly midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington D.C., scores of people were lined up at the Alaska Airlines bag drop gates at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) this morning, readying to take their flights to destinations across America and the globe — including a direct flight to Reagan National that was slated to take off at 8:24 a.m. from SEA.
Kristy Steffen was in line at the Alaska terminals dropping four suitcases for her flight to Reagan National Airport (DCA) and was self-assured that her flight would depart, “Despite the tragedy that took place last night, the airport’s open or will be open in a few hours.”
Steffen said she had been tracking the status of her DCA flight for the last 24 hours, ever since an American Airlines flight and an Army Blackhawk helicopter collided midair over the Potomac River.
“Alaska [Airlines] has been really instrumental in giving us updates,” Steffen confirmed.
DCA reopened this morning, and Steffen’s flight could board and head to the nation’s capital and the airport at the center of the investigation into this deadly air collision. “I think they’re [staff at Reagan National] operating the best they can over there,” said Steffen.
A steady stream of passengers made their way through SEA Thursday morning, catching their flights despite the deadliest disaster in US aviation since 2009.
This morning, officials in Washington D.C. and Wichita, Kansas spoke – stressing there was nothing unusual about the flight paths of both the chopper and the plane.
Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, spoke about the collision and the flight paths of both aircraft, “At this point, we don’t know why the military aircraft came into the path of the PSA aircraft.” On its website, PSA Airlines is listed as part of the American Airlines Group. The airline says it operates over 500 daily flights on behalf of American Airlines.
Hours after the aircraft plunged into the frigid Potomac River, Washington D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly confirmed that the operation had taken a turn, “We are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.”
Despite the tragedy over the Potomac River – travelers at SEA were not concerned about flying. Robert Londo was flying to Tampa, and was adamant that he was not at all concerned about air safety, “Our U.S. air safety system is the best in the world!”
Steve and Susan Petitpas were also traveling on Alaska Airlines and dropping their bags at SEA. Susan learned about the deadly collision while she was in line, and was saddened by the news, “There are a lot of things happening in the world... it’s just one more thing.” While Steve Petitpas expressed a thought that the U.S. needs to take a larger look at transportation, “I wish we had more alternatives to air transportation.” Steve admitted he’s in favor of high-speed rail and believes it should be an area of development in the transportation sector.
Steffen said her flight to Reagan National and the Washington D.C. area is a one-way trip, “I’m moving there, which is why I have so many pieces of luggage. I’m literally moving there.” She said she knows she will probably fly out of Reagan National again as she starts a new life in the D.C. metro area, and shared that she feels for everyone involved in this latest aviation disaster, “This is terrible, it’s just a super terrible tragedy.”
During a briefing this morning with officials in Washington D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said the NTSB will be the lead agency on the investigation and will deliver all future updates on the crash investigation going forward.
©2025 Cox Media Group
