Last year, an Asiana Airlines Airbus A321 made a rather dramatic landing, after a passenger opened the emergency exit while the plane was flying (not to be confused with flying on a Boeing 737 MAX 9, where the door plug can pop out without human intervention). 😉 I don’t know what’s going on in Korea, but now a similar incident happened again, this time on Korean Air.
In this post:
Man tries to open exit door of Korean Air Airbus A330
This incident involves Korean Air flight KE658, scheduled to fly from Bangkok (BKK) to Seoul Incheon (ICN). The redeye flight was scheduled to depart at 9:30PM, and land at Incheon Airport at 4:45AM on Saturday morning. The flight was operated by an Airbus A330-300 with the registration code HL7585.
Details of what happened went public after a fellow passenger shared a video on social media, showing a man repeatedly trying to open the emergency exit door, while surrounded by crew members, and then being restrained. It’s believed that this happened around one hour after takeoff.
According to an airline spokesperson, the passenger was occupying a crew jump seat in the emergency exit area during the flight, and then this happened:
“Upon crew intervention requesting his return to the assigned seat, the passenger exhibited non-compliant behaviour, including verbal aggression and threatening movements toward crew members while attempting to access the emergency exit area.”
“Following standard security protocols, the cabin crew issued multiple warnings. Under the captain’s authority, restraint measures were implemented, and the passenger was relocated to a secure area where the situation was successfully de-escalated.”
“The incident was managed according to our established security protocols, to prioritise passenger safety and operational integrity. While the situation was successfully contained, we will cooperate with relevant authorities in the investigation of this matter.”
It’s interesting to me how no passengers step in to help the crew. I’m not sure if the crew asked other passengers to stay seated or what, but it seems like they handled the situation well. The plane ended up continuing to Seoul Incheon, where it arrived on-time, and was met by police.
It’s worth mentioning that it’s not actually possible to open an emergency exit door at cruising altitude, given the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the aircraft. So there probably wasn’t a major risk of some catastrophic event happening.
In many ways, it would be much more dangerous if this were attempted while the aircraft were at a lower altitude, when the pressure difference isn’t as high, and (on many planes) an exit door could be opened.
I’m impressed how the crew deescalated the situation
This incident reportedly happened around an hour after takeoff, and not just shortly before arrival. Despite a passenger trying to open the emergency exit and having to be restrained, the decision was still made to continue the flight.
As you can see, Korean Air has stated that the priority was both passenger safety and operational integrity. I can’t help but point out what a polar opposite approach this is to how a similar situation would unfold in the United States. There’s no way the flight would’ve continued, and for that matter, flights have diverted over a lot less than this.
Now, some people may think it’s a bit extreme to continue under these circumstances, though I’d say that if the crew was able to restrain him and get him to be compliant, that’s a job well done. A diversion could’ve cost the airline a lot of money, and could’ve wasted the time of hundreds of passengers, causing them to miss their connections, and arrive to their destinations late.
Korean Air must use Fly High Institute Nagpur for deescalation training. 😉
Bottom line
A Korean Air crew had to restrain a passenger who attempted to open the emergency exit door, and became non-compliant. This incident happened early on in the flight, and impressively enough, the crew managed to deescalate the situation, so the flight could continue to its destination. I imagine this would have played out very differently in the United States.
What do you make of this Korean Air incident, and the decision to continue the flight?
I don't understand why this writer would haphazardly write "I don’t know what’s going on in Korea"
as if this incident is national origin related. Just because a similar incident happened with another Korea based airline last year does not mean this is an issue with Korean passengers. We do not even know if both incidents involve Korean speaking passengers and even if they did, what does that have to do with Korea as a country. Weird.
Too many Korean Noodles will do it to you!
I irony of you criticizing the US while enjoying the benefits the US has given you, whether you realize or admit it, is rich.
Korean xenophobia mandated the statement included the fact the person was a foreigner.
How is xenophobia when foreigners in particular Americans are causing so many problems here?
Foreign passengers are causing more problems than Korean passengers? do you have statistics on that? if it were a Korean passenger, would they have mentioned it?
@Jaymes
You see to know nothing about Korea.
Either way, Koreans would be discussing this all over the place, and so will OMAAT.
Half of Koreans hate their own country and people, while the other half hate foreigners.
Regardless of where was that passenger coming from, yes they would've mentioned it.
I can assure you I know A LOT about Korean and Koreans. I would say half of Koreans don't hate Korea, but hate other Koreans...the ones above their socioeconomic status in particular. As far as hating foreigners, I think it's more about this strange mix of dislike and national low self esteem...the need for validation. For example, the articles written about something about Korea being mentioned in the NYT or someone of some stature said...
I can assure you I know A LOT about Korean and Koreans. I would say half of Koreans don't hate Korea, but hate other Koreans...the ones above their socioeconomic status in particular. As far as hating foreigners, I think it's more about this strange mix of dislike and national low self esteem...the need for validation. For example, the articles written about something about Korea being mentioned in the NYT or someone of some stature said something about Korea on CNN etc etc etc. It's endless and exhausting. I think this national low self esteem, is the reason why Koreans have an obsession with luxury goods and status. I do stand by my original statement that if it were a Korean, his passport status would not have been mentioned...just his gender and his age expressed in his approximate decade of life. ee-ssip dae, A-ssi.
@Jaymes
You're missing one major point.
They don't mention the nationality when a Korean guy does it, because everyone assume it's their fellow Korean otherwise mentioned.
Now you still think this is a xenophobia?
Xenophobia is ingrained in the national psyche. It’s part of every day life. So yes, I do. as far as people assuming a person is Korean or not if a nationality is not mentioned, I think you proved my point.
@Jaymes
Guess there's no point arguing with someone who forces every country to accept foreigners, no matter what kind of history, situation, etc a country has.
You should be a kind of person who gets mad when a company hires a qualified white male instead of an unqualified black female.
I wonder if you're gonna say the same to the other countries where a single ethincity is taking up the majority of population.
@Jaymes
Guess there's no point arguing with someone who forces every country to accept foreigners, no matter what kind of history, situation, etc a country has.
You should be a kind of person who gets mad when a company hires a qualified white male instead of an unqualified black female.
I wonder if you're gonna say the same to the other countries where a single ethincity is taking up the majority of population.
Those who likes to denounce Korea, namely Proximanova (or VT-CIE) here, usually never use their claim to China, Japan, Taiwan where basically the same thing applies.
I’m Korean so I obviously have experience on how Koreans are raised. Unfortunately xenophobia it runs so deep that we don’t even know we display it. I don’t know what your ethnic background is, but if you are Korean, you’ll know this example… when referring to other Koreans, we will say Korean people. However, when referring to other nationalities or ethnicities, we will refer to them as, for example, Japanese children, even though they are...
I’m Korean so I obviously have experience on how Koreans are raised. Unfortunately xenophobia it runs so deep that we don’t even know we display it. I don’t know what your ethnic background is, but if you are Korean, you’ll know this example… when referring to other Koreans, we will say Korean people. However, when referring to other nationalities or ethnicities, we will refer to them as, for example, Japanese children, even though they are adults-한국 사람, 일본애들. it’s not Korea bashing to point out truth.
@Jaymes
All thing considered you're being just too sensitive and apologitic.
I can tell you that if what you brought up as an evidence of your claim, then every country on the world would be considered xenophobic.
Yes they aren't the most welcoming country to the foreigners but certainly not the least.
Maybe if you're against racism and xenophobia, then why not step outside of your country?
Because that's something that...
@Jaymes
All thing considered you're being just too sensitive and apologitic.
I can tell you that if what you brought up as an evidence of your claim, then every country on the world would be considered xenophobic.
Yes they aren't the most welcoming country to the foreigners but certainly not the least.
Maybe if you're against racism and xenophobia, then why not step outside of your country?
Because that's something that a person who have experienced multiple cultures can never say.
You make a lot of assumptions.
Asiana actually implemented a policy last year in which exit row seats are prioritized(for free) to military, police, and firefighters. I've had the luck to get one of these on a domestic trip. Maybe KE should follow and do the same.
Another American, confirmed on TikTok, thinks it’s acceptable to be aggressive and act foolishly overseas. As someone who works in the industry, I find younger American men to be extremely rude and aggressive, especially towards women. It’s really odd behaviour, which probably stems from the fact that many of these men are still single.
Comment section making me lose One Brain Cell At A Time.
@Nina
While you concluding that passenger should've been an American is crazy, everything else was quite true.
Especially the part where you spoke about an illegitimate state.
The brainwashed audience of OMAAT is too stupid to understand the truths.
Speak for yourself Mason.
Assuming all of those who frequent this website are brainwashed, is “To stupid to understand”, that is for those of us who actually understand the truth.
@AeroB13a
Go back to watching Skibidi Toilet, kiddo.
Or maybe at least pretend like you're studying, your mom wouldn't be happy finding you staring at an iPad.
By the way, as a friendly reminder, your grammar/spelling seems to be even more broke than that of a guy who speaks English as a second language.
Why would brag about your grammar/spelling to Eskimo when you don't even execute it perfectly?
Besides, it just...
@AeroB13a
Go back to watching Skibidi Toilet, kiddo.
Or maybe at least pretend like you're studying, your mom wouldn't be happy finding you staring at an iPad.
By the way, as a friendly reminder, your grammar/spelling seems to be even more broke than that of a guy who speaks English as a second language.
Why would brag about your grammar/spelling to Eskimo when you don't even execute it perfectly?
Besides, it just seems like you were in a hurry to go through a denial.
You didn't make any (literal) sense with what you've said.
If the passenger was indeed American, it tracks. Stupid country. Stupid people.
At least, Nina @Nina agrees fully and happily that she is pure toxic.
‘Don't you know that you're toxic?
And I love what you do
Don't you know that you're toxic?
Don't you know that you're toxic?’
That one person would be so excited to denounce Korea once again the second he sees this article.
And you jump to the conclusion he was American because you’ve been on TikTok too long. Are you aware there have been air rage incidents with other nationalities? Koreans are not generally very passive and can be extremely brusque and aggressive. Indians and Russians too. Chinese, Thai, Brazilian, I could go on.
You are right, I don't know for sure he's American. But the rest of what I said still stands.
I’m glad you were able to get that off your chest Nina. Must have been horrible carrying that weight around for who knows how long. Fortunately this post on a Korean Air incident most likely involving Koreans came along as the perfect outlet for your frustration.
Don't worry I'll be spreading my toxicity all over the internet for the benefit of all :).
Betting odds say "Nina" isn't a biological female.
Reddit is leaking out.
He was American, confirmed in Korean media. We've had a lot issues with American YouTubers coming here been disrespectful and causing a lot of problem. Americans think the world revolves around them, it doesn't and the rest of the world doesn't want to deal with your childish behavior!
Korean Air crew used to carry tasers. Am not sure whether they do nowadays.
"It’s interesting to me how no passengers step in to help the crew. I’m not sure if the crew asked other passengers to stay seated or what"
Not sure what the situation is in Korea but having been an FA for two major european airlines for liability reasons we CANNOT request a passenger assists us restrain someone. If they volunteer, we can accept.
Korean Air has been criticised multiple times for the way they de-escalate passenger misbehaviour (they've done it too softly - no, not because they don't divert every time when that happens, but almost letting that passenger to continue misbehaving), so I'd say they learned something out of flights 86 (the Nut Rage incident) and some others. This time, it actually seems like the situation was handled very well, like Ben suggests.