Delta Air Lines Faces Lawsuit After A350 Lavatory Door Incident Causes Serious Injury

Yanping Wei, a passenger from Shanghai, China, has initiated a federal lawsuit against Delta Air Lines following severe facial injuries sustained during a flight from Shanghai (PVG) to Detroit (DTW) on December 22, 2023. The incident occurred when the lavatory door on the Airbus A350-900, designed to open outward for accessibility, allegedly swung open unexpectedly as Wei approached, resulting in dental damage, facial lacerations, and bruising.

This case has cast a spotlight on the potential safety hazards associated with airplane lavatory doors, which are typically designed to fold inward to maximize space. Despite the prevalence of these bi-fold or concertina doors, regulations require the presence of at least one outward-opening door to accommodate passengers with disabilities.

The lawsuit is grounded in Article 17 of the Montreal Convention, which holds airlines accountable for passenger injuries incurred during international flights. This international law allows for compensation claims up to 128,821 Special Drawing Rights (approximately $172,000), though courts may award higher amounts based on the specifics of the case.

Delta Air Lines has limited defense options under this convention, primarily needing to prove that passenger negligence contributed to the injury to absolve itself of liability. Meanwhile, the airline might also consider pursuing legal action against any passenger found responsible for forcefully opening the door, as demonstrated by a similar case involving Aer Lingus.

In response to the incident, it’s highlighted that aircraft manufacturers design lavatory doors with specific safety features, such as forward-hinging mechanisms that align with the aircraft’s nose-up cruising attitude to prevent doors from swinging open forcefully. Despite these precautions, the severe nature of Wei’s injuries prompts a reevaluation of safety measures and design standards for airline lavatory doors.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aviationa2z.com