Can You Open an Airplane Emergency Door Mid-Flight? Pilots Explain

Passengers often wonder what would happen if someone tried to open an airplane emergency door mid-flight. According to pilots, it’s nearly impossible. American Airlines First Officer Steve Scheibner explains that once an aircraft is pressurized, it creates immense force—approximately nine pounds per square inch—making the door impossible to open without lifting around 25,000 pounds. Most emergency doors also open inward, making them even harder to move during flight.

Beyond physics, commercial aircraft are equipped with automatic door locks that engage once the plane reaches about 80 knots (92 mph), preventing doors from being unlocked manually while airborne. These regulations have been in place since the early 1970s after a rise in aircraft hijackings prompted the FAA to implement stricter safety measures.

Despite the physical barriers, passengers still occasionally attempt to open emergency exits mid-flight. Recently, an All Nippon Airways flight from Tokyo to Houston was diverted to Seattle after a passenger repeatedly tried to open the door. Law enforcement detained him upon landing. In another 2024 incident, an American Airlines passenger on a Milwaukee to Dallas flight attempted the same, injuring a flight attendant and facing federal charges with up to 20 years in prison.

Rare exceptions exist, such as a 2023 Asiana flight where a passenger managed to open a door while the plane was descending at 700 feet. Although no serious injuries occurred, several passengers were hospitalized for hyperventilation.

Experts still consider exit rows among the safest seats, offering the fastest evacuation access in emergencies.

Related News: https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/safety/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com