I’m sure that there’s some truth to this story, but I just struggle to believe what’s being claimed here… I’m curious if y’all have any theories?
In this post:
British Airways captain suspended over flight deck incident
The Sun reports on an incident that happened last week, whereby a British Airways captain was reportedly suspended after breaking anti-terror rules, by leaving the flight deck door open so that his family could see him during the flight. Let me first share what’s being reported, before providing my take.
This incident happened on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, on British Airways flight BA173 from London (LHR) to New York (JFK), which was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER. The flight had 256 passengers onboard.
The captain reportedly wanted his family, who were among the passengers, to see him at the controls of the plane, so he intentionally left the flight deck door open for extended periods of time. His actions reportedly alarmed other passengers, as well as the crew. Here’s what’s claimed by a source:
“Crew and passengers immediately noticed the cockpit door was open and wanted to know what was happening. It made passengers incredibly uneasy. The door was wide open for a significant time — enough for people to worry and comment. BA colleagues were so alarmed that the pilot was reported in the US and bosses had to suspend him.”
The pilot was reportedly suspended upon landing, and as a result, the return flight just over 24 hours later, BA174, was canceled (which is the flight he would’ve been the captain of). Just over a week after the incident, the captain is reportedly back to flying, after no security threat was identified.
British Airways hasn’t commented, other than to say “safety and security is our top priority.” If this story is true, of course it’s a major security lapse. Policies vary around the world, but for flights to the United States, rules are strict even for foreign carriers, when it comes to flight decks remaining closed, etc.
What really happened here… this makes no sense?!
Obviously something did happen on this flight, in the sense that the return flight (24+ hours later) was canceled due to a lack of crew, suggesting that the captain was in fact suspended over whatever went down.
But the logistics of this just don’t add up. This flight was operated by a four cabin Boeing 777-300ER, and the flight deck door is located down a short passageway at the front center of the aircraft, out of view from any seated passenger.
This isn’t like if you were to leave the flight deck door open on a narrow body jet, where everyone could look down the aisle and see inside. Literally no one would’ve seen this, unless they were specifically standing there, were going to the lavatory, etc.
So one wonders, what exactly happened? Did the captain basically get his family to come up to the forward galley and stand in the passageway leading to the flight deck and look inside? What would the benefit even be of leaving the flight deck door open for an extended period of time, because if this happened at cruise, it’s not like there’s anything interesting to see?
And if this really happened, why didn’t the first officer object? You’d hope the first officer would’ve expressed that he wasn’t comfortable with what was happening. It’s interesting that the crew did report him to authorities, which is quite something. But the details just don’t quite add up.
Also, we’re not talking about some new hire British Airways pilot. We’re talking about a senior captain on a wide body jet, who presumably has decades of experience. He’s going to risk his career in that way?
It’s also noteworthy that the investigation reportedly determined that no security threat was identified. So, umm, what happened then? Did he do it or didn’t he do it? Did his fellow crew members misinterpret what was going on?
I’m writing about this because the story as presented makes little sense, but it’s clear that something happened, and I’m really intrigued and curious. Can anyone come up with a plausible scenario here?
Bottom line
A British Airways Boeing 777 captain was reportedly suspended after he left the flight deck door open, so that his family could look inside during the flight. However, little about this makes sense, including the logistics.
The return flight was canceled due to his suspension, though he has reportedly since been reinstated, after it was determined that there was no security threat. If there was no security threat or major violation of rules, then what actually happened?!
Anyone have a theory as to what really happened?
Not really a big deal. I get peeks at the open cockpit door on flights these days fairly often. No pearl-clutching or fainting necessary.
@ Bobo Bolinski -- I agree, but that's also why I assume this isn't what actually happened. A crew wouldn't report a captain because a family member briefly got a peek of the flight deck.