An airline passenger in Boston was taken into custody after opening a plane’s emergency exit right before takeoff.
Key Facts:
• The event took place on a JetBlue flight at Boston Logan International Airport.
• A male passenger opened an overwing exit, causing the emergency slide to deploy.
• No injuries were reported, according to the Massachusetts Port Authority.
• The flight was delayed while authorities addressed the incident.
The Rest of The Story:
JetBlue confirmed that the flight was preparing to leave the gate when a passenger suddenly opened an emergency exit door.
As a result, the emergency slide automatically deployed, drawing immediate attention from crew members and other travelers.
Police officers arrived soon after, and the man responsible for the breach was detained.
Officials say the passenger remained aboard the aircraft until law enforcement arrived.
A statement from JetBlue indicated the individual’s motivation was unknown.
With no reported injuries and the incident contained, airport operations continued as normal, though the affected flight faced a setback as the airline worked to manage safety protocols and ensure passengers could continue their travel.
🚨🇺🇸 BREAKING: PASSENGER OPENS DOOR ON MOVING PLANE AT BOSTON AIRPORT
A passenger deployed emergency slide after opening door over wing during taxi on JetBlue Flight 161 to San Juan.
The individual remained on aircraft and was detained by police.
JetBlue says door opened "for… pic.twitter.com/d9eHHizMgG
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 8, 2025
This disturbance followed another unusual event for JetBlue earlier in the week: the discovery of two deceased individuals hidden in the landing gear of a separate flight from New York City to Fort Lauderdale.
JetBlue has said it is cooperating with authorities to learn more about that situation, calling it heartbreaking.
The Bottom Line:
The emergency exit episode in Boston underscores how a single disruptive act can delay flights and create confusion for passengers.
Fortunately, no one was hurt, and police took swift action.
Though the reason behind the incident remains unclear, travelers and airlines are reminded that cabin doors and emergency exits must be handled with extreme caution.
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JetBlue is now focused on restoring operations and minimizing any further delays.