Airline forced to stop selling emergency exit seats after man opens door mid-flight

An airline has stopped selling seats by the emergency exits after a passenger opened up the door while an aircraft was flying.

Flying is stressful. Frankly, I don't believe anyone who says they enjoy it. It's stuffy and uncomfortable, and that's before you get to the fact that you're hurtling through the sky at 500mph 30,000 feet above the ground.

Being sat next to an emergency exit only adds to the stress as you may receive a visit from flight attendants asking if you're okay sitting there as you might have to clear the exit. All very comforting stuff.

However, one South Korean airline will no longer be seating passengers by the emergency exit after a passenger decided to open the door while the plane was making its landing approach.

Asiana Airlines confirmed it will not seat passengers next to the emergency exits as the man involved in the incident had been there when he opened the door.

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A 33-year-old man was arrested after the incident, which saw 12 passengers taken to hospital after suffering breathing difficulties, though fortunately the plane travelling from Jeju to Daegu was able to land safely.

Officials clarified that the man had likely succeeded in opening the door because the plane was at a relatively low altitude, which meant there wasn't much difference in pressure between the cabin and outside.

Terrifying footage shows passengers being buffeted about in their seats as wind roars through the cabin.

John Crowe / Alamy Stock Photo

The man subsequently said that he felt 'suffocated' and was suffering from stress due to recently losing his job. He did not appear to be intoxicated when he opened the door.

Police in Daegu said they now have up to 20 days to investigate the incident before deciding if they want to pursue a prosecution.

The South Korean Transport Ministry has confirmed that if he is convicted he could face up to 10 years in prison for breaching aviation law which prohibits passengers from handling emergency and entry doors as well as other equipment on board an aircraft.

In a press conference, the man - whose face was covered by a mask, cap, and hoodie - told reporters: "I'm really sorry to kids", referring to a number of children who had been travelling on the flight.

He added: "I wanted to get off the plane soon."

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