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On May 24, 2025, an All Nippon Airways flight from Tokyo Haneda to Houston was diverted to Seattle after a passenger attempted to open an emergency exit door mid-flight. The incident required intervention from both passengers and crew to restrain the individual. Despite the fear and disruption caused by the diversion, experts affirm that passengers were not in any real danger.
Unruly passenger incidents have been increasing, sometimes involving attempts to open exit doors during flights. These attempts are almost always unsuccessful due to the pressurization of aircraft cabins at high altitudes. Planes are designed with pressurized cabins so passengers can breathe comfortably as air thins with altitude. This pressurization creates significant forces on doors, making it physically impossible for them to be opened mid-flight.
The design of aircraft doors also plays a crucial role in preventing such incidents. Most airliners use 'plug-type' doors that fit into sockets within the fuselage and cannot be opened unless pressure is equalized on both sides. This design ensures safety during flights by preventing accidental openings due to cabin pressure differences.
