A couple that had traveled aboard a Southwest Airlines flight in November is now looking for answers regarding an alarming sighting. As reported by WSAW, the two passengers had boarded a Southwest flight from Las Vegas to Minneapolis on November 13, 2025, when they spotted that a passenger behind them was in possession of a switch-blade knife.

Another passenger brought this to the attention of the crew, but no further acknowledgement was made of the item. The flight departed and landed routinely, although the knife kept the couple who spotted the knife, Tammy and Scott Exner, alarmed throughout the flight. The couple has since reached out to Southwest Airlines for more information.

An Alarming Sighting On A Southwest Airlines Flight

Tammy and Scott Exner, two Wisconsin natives, were traveling on a Southwest Airlines flight from Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on November 13. The two had taken a birthday trip to Nevada and were returning home from their vacation. The flight departed in the early evening for an arrival shortly after midnight in Minneapolis.

The couple had taken their seats on board the Boeing 737 when they heard the thud of a bag being placed in the overhead bin behind them. When Tammy Exner turned around, she alleged spotted a four-inch switchblade knife, although it is unclear whether the passenger was holding it or if it was sticking out of a bag. Another passenger across the aisle is reported to have seen it and, after making eye contact with Tammy Exner, alerted the cabin crew to its presence.

The flight attendant was reportedly in disbelief when notified, but then the passenger in possession of the alleged knife stated, « I put it back in my bag« . After this, the flight attendant walked away, allegedly without speaking to the individual. The cabin crew is reported to have consulted with the pilots as well as a Southwest representative who had boarded the aircraft, but then, no further action was taken. The flight departed normally without any further acknowledgement of the knife.

The Flight And The Aftermath

There was no further mention of the alleged weapon throughout the flight, and the aircraft landed routinely in Minneapolis after midnight. However, the sighting had sent the Exners on edge, as Tammy Exner described to WSAW that, « I went into a state of panic… My vision was if I fell asleep, these people behind me knew I reported them, and am I going to get my throat cut? »

The following day, the couple had reported the sighting to Southwest Airlines as well as the TSA. The TSA had responded to the Exners, stating that it would investigate. A representative from Southwest Airlines reached out to the couple the week of December 7, but the representative on the phone is alleged to have stated that the carrier followed proper protocol and that knives under four inches are permitted onboard.

Simple Flying reached out to Southwest Airlines to confirm the circumstances of the event. Southwest responded with the following statement,

« Southwest Airlines takes all security matters seriously and is looking into the circumstances of this incident. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees. »

Policies For Transporting Knives On Planes

Knives under four inches are permitted to be transported in checked luggage, but are not allowed in carry-on bags. The TSA only permits knives with rounded blades, blunt edges without serration/teeth, or plastic cutlery. If a knife were brought into an aircraft cabin, then this would be under the jurisdiction of the TSA, which would need to investigate. When speaking with WSAW, Scott Exner also noted that he was previously not permitted to carry a Swiss Army-like set attached to his keychain earlier on their trip.

Airlines have internal procedures on how to address a scenario such as this. Southwest will investigate to determine whether its procedures were followed and address the issue if they were not. Meanwhile, Tammy Exner was provided with a $100 travel credit.