Can Aircraft Doors Be Opened In Flight?

Hollywood movies seem to enjoy showing people opening cabin doors during flight. The wind rushing in the aircraft is usually accompanied by a struggle. But, can a door be opened in flight? Let’s find out in today’s video.

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[heidirabenau]

Very useful after the recent incident on an Asiana Airlines flight...

[morzee]

Mentour Pilot recently made a really good video on this topic after the Asiana incident. He also has an older one about the D.B Cooper story mentioned here that’s worth a watch.

[waviation]

short answer: you have to be really strong to open it mid flight, these doors are held tight by air pressure.

[Eddie_Murphy]

The doors on the B777 are also electrically locked

[alooga]

I didn't know about the "Cooper Vane" installed on 727s and DC-9s. It must have been insanely noisy for D.B. Cooper as he descended the stairs though.

[BugbnAlmzh-ek]

On my airline we say.

Cabin Crew Arm doors for departure and cross check.

After double check we inform the GD or senior crew member that doors armed and cross checked.

[Wongwanchungwongjumbo]

Singapore 🇸🇬 Airlines Also follows these Cross checks after Boarding.

[envitech]

Yes, I believe its possible, when the pressure has been equalised.

[misterbig]

But a stressed out Korean passenger did it in May 2023. He opened the door mid flight!

[RaulRodriguez-wrlq]

Thanks good explanation, sorry for those who go crazy on board, and try to open the door, there's No way.

[Prasad]

Aircraft whose flight ceiling is below 10000 ft are generally not pressurized ( like the Dornier).

[Wongwanchungwongjumbo]

Asiana Airlines Incident of an Airbus A321 of a Passenger opened the door upon Final Approach Landing to South Korea 🇰🇷 Incheon International Airport.

[peoplesambassadordm]

The door can b opened at low altitudes ... according to Asiana flight passenger....the cabin is mildly pressurized. .

[andrewdrone]

Spreading too much information around on this topic may not be advisable...

[well-blazeredman]

Exit-seat me will still be landing on you like a ton of bricks if you so much as look at that handle. And I'll deny having ever seen this.
P.S. Yes, I knew; Captain Petter told me.

[PhạmHiếu-gh]

door armed = door open, air slide air-filled
door disarmed = door open, air slide not air-filled

[Bushpilot.]

One insane Asiana Airline passenger did it

[Pilot-]

Isn't it possible to open the doors at 10 000ft if the plane is moving at speed under 200 knots. South African Airways flight 295 anyone?

[miraphycs]

didn't they open the door on South African Airways Flight 295 to extinguish a fire or something? How does that make sense? Also how did they manage to open it?

[NikolaiUA]

Kudos for using those clips showing Ukrainian cabin crew opening and closing doors!