For years, there had been talk of the flight decks of commercial aircraft in the United States getting a second flight deck barrier. This started to become more serious in 2022, when regulators moved forward with a recommendation to implement this change. Then in 2024, we saw the signing of the FAA reauthorization bill, which finalized this.
There’s an interesting update, as one major US airline has taken delivery of its first plane with the new secondary barrier, so we have an example of what this will look like. Is this a sensible development that will make flying safer, or unnecessary and a waste of money?
In this post:
FAA will soon require second flight deck barrier
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will require a secondary barrier on the flight deck of new Part 121 commercial airplanes in the United States, to ensure the safety of the aircraft, crew, and passengers. As the FAA describes this, the intent is to slow any attack on the flight deck long enough so that the flight deck can be closed and locked before an attacker could reach it.
With this, aircraft manufacturers will have to install a second barrier. This rule will take effect for newly built aircraft as of July 2026 (that timeline was pushed back by around a year, as initially it was supposed to be required as of mid-2025). Interestingly, there are no firm plans to require existing aircraft to be retrofitted with this.
This was actually proposed many years back — the FAA was supposed to have adopted this rule by 2019 under a 2018 federal law, but the agency didn’t act until more recently. Of course the terrorist attacks of 9/11 changed aviation forever. Since 9/11, we’ve seen the introduction of reinforced flight deck doors, which realistically can’t be broken into.
This new law is intended to address situations where one of the pilots has to leave the flight deck (whether to go to the bathroom, go on break, etc.). Currently in these situations, a flight attendant will simply block the aisle with a cart while the door is open.
The FAA estimates that this secondary barrier will cost $35,000 per aircraft, including the purchase of the barrier plus the installation. After the addition of training and other costs, the present value costs for this rule are $236.5 million at a 7% discount rate and $505 million at a 3% discount rate.
How does the second flight deck barrier work?
Southwest Airlines has just taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX with these new secondary flight deck barrier, so we have a sense of what these can look like. As you can see, it’s essentially a folding door that can be stored during most phases of the flight. Then when it’s needed, it can easily be extended, and acts like a gate.
Unlike other airlines, Southwest is immediately starting to use these new flight deck barriers, and the airline anticipates taking delivery of 25 new planes this year featuring this. Southwest operated its first flight with the secondary flight deck barrier yesterday, marking the first flight where a newly introduced flight deck barrier was used.
It’s worth noting that some other airlines have had some sort of “gates” installed in front of the flight deck for years. At least going back many years, I remember United 757s having these kinds of “gates” (I’m not sure if it’s still the case).
Is a second flight deck barrier necessary?
It goes without saying that aviation has become so safe over the years thanks to all the incremental improvements that have been made. As a matter of fact, this change is the last 9/11 Commission recommendation to be implemented.
That being said, this seems like a solution that doesn’t actually solve a whole lot. How many people have successfully broken into a flight deck of a commercial airplane in the 20+ years since 9/11? I think zero globally, but someone correct me if I’m wrong.
That comes down to multiple factors:
- It comes down to reinforced flight deck doors, which mean that you can’t break into flight decks
- It comes down to the mentality around hijackings having changed; previously if someone threatened an airline employee with a weapon, they’d typically let them into the flight deck, while that wouldn’t happen in a post-9/11 world
- Passengers wouldn’t allow a hijacking to happen; in the past they would have probably cooperated with hijackers, thinking that would be the solution that leads to the least damage, while I think that mindset has changed post-9/11
Let’s talk about another aspect of the reinforced flight deck door. How many planes have crashed in the past 12 or so years due to one pilot being locked out of the flight deck and not being able to get back in?
- In November 2013, LAM Mozambique flight 470 crashed while the captain was in the flight deck and the first officer was locked out of the flight deck
- In March 2014, Malaysia Airlines flight 370 went missing, and the leading theory is that the captain hijacked the plane while the first officer was locked out of the flight deck
- In March 2015, Germanwings flight 9525 crashed while the first officer was in the flight deck and the captain was locked out of the flight deck
- In March 2022, China Eastern flight 5735 crashed, and US officials believe that this was intentional based on data from the flight
While I’m not suggesting we should get rid of reinforced flight deck doors, one has to wonder how many lives have really been saved by them.
To me, pilot mental health and one person in a flight deck presents a much bigger risk to aviation than the number of flight deck barriers there are. Admittedly this is more of a global problem than a US problem — at least US airlines are required to always have two people in the flight deck, which is why a flight attendant always has to enter the flight deck when a pilot leaves. This doesn’t apply to foreign airlines flying to the US, though.
Bottom line
The FAA will be requiring airlines to install a second flight deck barrier, which extends out when the flight deck door needs to be opened. In most cases, this will be a gate. We’ve now seen the first US airline start using these new barriers, and by the middle of 2026, all newly built aircraft will have to feature these.
On the one hand, I guess this can’t hurt, other than the cost. On the other hand, this seems to address what I’d consider to be an absolutely tiny risk. And I know it’s an uncomfortable reality, but given how safe aviation is, it seems the bigger risk involves the mental health of those inside the flight deck, rather than those outside the flight deck.
What do you think — is a second flight deck barrier on commercial airplanes really necessary?
Great. I’ll be more claustrophobic
ALPA and AFA unions went all guns on this issue..years ago okay…today…whatever!! Fact is this is a mindset issue. Yes a locked barrier is the ultimate deterrent but readiness to attack the attackers along with the other flight deck contingencies now in place makes barriers redundant unnecessary costs for litttle return. More attention should be given to the insider threat of planted IED devices on aircraft.
Great. Another way for FAs to hide behind a barrier to avoid work while pilots lounge in the galley and socialize unendingly. What could possibly go wrong?
I think that we should look at what other countries do and compare. I don't see such measures (even a reinforced door) on many foreign aircrafts. As someone else said that it is typically American to have one solution for all not considering the cost.
A perfect barrier for the FA's to use so they can hide to chit-chat and play on their smartphones.
If TSA screening was as shit-hot as the TSA would like everyone to think, this wouldn’t be necessary.
If the TSA or another security company could find weapons 100% of the time, we would be safer. Yet, it would be ignorant to assume weapons couldn't find a way on board
Worldwide there has been 51 attempted hijackings since 9/11. Air rage incidents have increased since the pandemic and many involved charging toward the cockpit door. Pilots see the need for these doors. I trust their judgement.
"To me, pilot mental health and one person in a flight deck presents a much bigger risk to aviation than the number of flight deck barriers there are. "
@Lucky... Exactly.
I am much more worried that flight crews could use this to stop passengers from fighting back.
It seems unnecessary paranoia to add another layer. Performative, like the ongoing liquid rules.
The risk of a suicidal cockpit crew or a medical emergency are far higher than "crazy person is able to crash through the reinforced door during the few moments it's open in-flight". I guess the slatted barrier looks more elegant than the catering cart some airlines use as a temporary barrier when pilots need the bathroom, but overall seems like misplaced...
It seems unnecessary paranoia to add another layer. Performative, like the ongoing liquid rules.
The risk of a suicidal cockpit crew or a medical emergency are far higher than "crazy person is able to crash through the reinforced door during the few moments it's open in-flight". I guess the slatted barrier looks more elegant than the catering cart some airlines use as a temporary barrier when pilots need the bathroom, but overall seems like misplaced priority (and therefore a distraction / unnecessary cost).
It's a common American tendency to respond to singular events with a broad-stroke approach, in the absence of a trend. Except for kids getting shot (the now-leading cause of death for minors in the US). Then we just offer thoughts and prayers but shucks, just can't come up with any ideas for a solution.
The solution is armed security - retired cops, military, etc. Lemme guess: “wait, no, anything but that!”
How’d armed cop on campus work out in Uvalvde and Florida?
United had secondary barriers on their 747s in form of a gate covering the full height of the cabin: about ten metal strings anchored in the wall on one side and a post on the other end that got affixed to the wall on the other side.
That was ~15 years ago already.
Can't wait for some crazy person to come lock themselves up there.
Let’s also ask how many attempts there have been to get into the cockpit?
So I looked that up, and onecsource says 52 since 2001
Zero, bit won’t somebody PLEASE think of the children?!
So all of the world is going to have to suffer this crap just cos the US decision makers are morons?
Thats literally blocking an emergency exit, it allows the cabin crew to physically lock themselves off to prevent passengers from interrupting their chat time/going to ask for drinks/accessing the front toilet.. thats obscene.
If you can't figure out the (obvious) answer to both of those questions, then calling anyone else "morons" is a bit ironic.
They're not going to be used during takeoff nor landing, and likely will be stowed at any time the cockpit door is not opening in flight.
“ Unlike other airlines, Southwest is immediately starting to use these new flight deck barriers, ”
Does this mean other airlines are taking delivery of planes with two sets of doors, but not using them?
While I admit that I'm not particularly versed in the cost of manufacturing an airplane, from what was demonstrated I don't see how it would $35k!
wow, blocking the emergency exit for non pilot scum is a great idea
It's sort of weird to say that maybe reinforced flight deck doors aren't helpful because nobody has broken into a flight deck. This is like the old doctor joke: "Did you take all your medicine?" "Well, no, after a few days I felt better so I stopped."
Arguably the reinforced doors allowed those pilot-suicide tragedies. But it's impossible to know how many hijackings would have happened without them. Maybe none; maybe many.
This is a way for there to be a private lavatory for pilots and crew. Also a way in some planes for the FAs to cage themselves in the galley so they can waste time and not serve passengers.
Fair go, you can’t expect them to actually provide customer service in addition to acting as hyper-vigilant safety and security Stasi.
Lucky, can you collect a list of airlines that has the two-people flight deck rule? I know for example, Singapore Airlines allows single person in the flight deck.
It is a dark comedy that since 9/11, the reinforced flight doors have killed more people than they've likely saved.
If anything, maybe we need to require that an FA be on the deck when the pilot/first officer is away?
In the US, that’s the law. Other countries write there own rules.
In theory the second barrier addresses the crew lockout scenario. When leaving the cockpit to take a leak, etc., the cockpit door can be left open while the second barrier is closed.
Only if having the second barrier locked properly somehow disables the first.
That frumpy WN FA is gross.
so is your existence
Hi Jessica,
Can you please post some videos showing your full body so we can all give you some feedback? Preferably ones that were taken while you were minding your own business doing your job.
Lucky -- I've been a long time reader and even though I've never met you, I know you are a mensch. You couldn't fake it for this long day in day out. You deserve better than to have...
Hi Jessica,
Can you please post some videos showing your full body so we can all give you some feedback? Preferably ones that were taken while you were minding your own business doing your job.
Lucky -- I've been a long time reader and even though I've never met you, I know you are a mensch. You couldn't fake it for this long day in day out. You deserve better than to have to deal with these miserable trolls. I realize you probably need to maintain a comment section for SEO and what not. That said, if there was a way I could read your blog without having to see this dreck at the bottom of every post, I'd do it in an instant. I'd happily pay for the privilege to never have to read what Jessica et al have to say.
The country’s mindset changed so fast it changed mid-9/11
This barrier will contribute to even worse cabin service levels in US airlines, if that is even possible. FAs will just hide behind these barriers and ignore passengers inflight..
I don’t understand these complaining comments. Did y’all just not read the article? The gate is only deployed when the pilot needs to use the bathroom or do a crew switch. That’s like 5 minutes of your precious “bathroom access.” But not even really because you already couldn’t access the bathroom when the pilot was in it.
As for it coming open unintentionally? Come on. You don’t think they thought of that? Galley carts...
I don’t understand these complaining comments. Did y’all just not read the article? The gate is only deployed when the pilot needs to use the bathroom or do a crew switch. That’s like 5 minutes of your precious “bathroom access.” But not even really because you already couldn’t access the bathroom when the pilot was in it.
As for it coming open unintentionally? Come on. You don’t think they thought of that? Galley carts have wheel locks, a metal bar lock, and a secondary one in case that fails. Can an FA screw up latching it? Yes, just like galley carts still crash down the aisle or emergency slides inflate in the jetway one out of every 10-50 million flights. The of the door unlatching during an emergency? C’mon.
The only thing dumber than these doors are the complaints y’all are making about them.
"The only thing dumber than these doors are the complaints y’all are making about them."
This!!
If adding a second barrier is such a great idea, why not add a third barrier too?
I am so sick of security theater (vs. real security).
I hope this nonsense will not be required by non US airlines..
So instead of whining obnoxiously: what then what would you suggest as "real security," and how would you implement it?
How on earth was something that blocks an emergency exit approved? Must have been union lobbying so they can just lock passengers in the back while they play with their phones in the galley.
Emergency exits are already blocked when FAs use galley carts to block the galley.
The antics with the trolley to block the toilet on US flights have gone on for years. Not being aware of it initially I ever walked up to use the toilet when the trolley was 'positioned' and the FA's eyes almost popped out. There was a bit of screaming as well.
With US airlines moving to narrow bodies even for transatlantic flights and a second barrier coming up toilet access for paying business class...
The antics with the trolley to block the toilet on US flights have gone on for years. Not being aware of it initially I ever walked up to use the toilet when the trolley was 'positioned' and the FA's eyes almost popped out. There was a bit of screaming as well.
With US airlines moving to narrow bodies even for transatlantic flights and a second barrier coming up toilet access for paying business class passengers will be gone.
Just another good reason for avoiding US airlines when flying to/from US.
The all-mighty US/FAA might force all airlines flying to US, not just their own, to have these. Thus, effectively, every single airplane after the cut-off next year. On one side it eliminates the rolley blocking nonsense, on the other it even it likely will cut-down on available toilets for J as I can just imagine them blocking it for most of the flight out of convenience.
theyll do it so they can avoid having to do their jobs
Doesn't it seem like these could get in the way if an airplane needed to be evacuated? Even just if it came unlatched during a rough landing and then impeded people trying to get out through the forward door. I hope they did some testing of designs with that in mind. All in all, seems to add danger rather than subtract.
You could make the same argument about the galley carts. What if the brakes failed and now the carts started rolling all over the place and blocking emergency exit doors?
Add Helios 522 to the list for an unintentional crash that _may_ have been averted if the cabin crew could have got into the flightdeck earlier.
So this block access to the front restroom if they leave it in closed position. Airlines have continued to reduce the number of restrooms to add more seats.
It would be more effective if the US transport ministry focused on dangerous passenger behaviour instead of an extremely unlikely terrorist event.
From terrorists maybe not. From the new crop of pilled out, methed out, drunken, mentally unbalanced, toddler like state of maturity passengers, yes.
George, from the description you posted, it would appear that you could well be addressing your concerns towards 90% of U.S. domestic passengers, yes?
Agree on both counts.
Which of Trump’s buddies has the contract to manufacture these pointless doors?
@UncleRonnie
Oh dear. 'Someone' didn't read this Biden-era official announcement from the FAA (dated Wed. June 14th 2023)
Will 'someone' sheepishly retract that quip about Trump's buddies now they see who was actually pushing to make "...this rule a priority in 2021"?
[hint: it wasn't Trump. It was some shuffling old man fond of sniffing hair and eating ice cream and some random woman fond of cackling]
www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-requires-secondary-flight-deck-barrier
In your own link, it mentions Trump's FAA Reauthorization Act. In 2018, the Act was passed, directing the FAA to issue an order requiring secondary cockpit barriers on new aircraft. The Biden Administration followed through with Trump's order
Sounds like security theater.
Good post.
Totally agree, there are far more important things for the FAA to focus on the passengers dont see than something highly visible but that provides little added safety improvement.