About Claustrophobia
Captain Miki Katz

This is a question that many fearful flyers would like to ask and here is the answer....................

Dear Captain Katz - I read with interest in one of your articles that it is technically possible to open the door of a plane in mid-air. Would this not cause everything inside to be sucked out?

Thank you for your article. It is the first time I have found one that is addressed to claustrophobics and the feeling that the plane is hermetically sealed is my major problem. If only planes had opening windows, I would be more than happy!! I look forward to hearing from you. - GC (England)

Dear GC

Thank you for your e mail. I have just returned from a New York flight, taking my time to answer your email as well other fearful flyers.

More people than one may imagine are affected by Claustrophobia, and as you know, Claustrophobia becomes more extreme when it involves with flying than in any other environment.

With my experience with so many people like you, I found that some pieces of information and knowledge are of such significant that they could lead to a much better and friendlier future flights.

My answer is yes, it is technically possible to open a door of a plane in mid-air. In order to open the door, we need to equalize the pressure of both sides of the aircraft. In order to do so, the crew will need to take the following actions:

Descending to a low altitude – around 3,000 feet. (In high altitude there is not enough oxygen for normal breathing. flying in low altitude will provide enough oxygen for the passengers if and when the door is opened)

Turning off the pressurization system. (That will equalize the pressure from both sides of the aircraft, and will remove any pressure from the door – as we do on the ground before opening the doors. Also, this will prevent any suction effect that you've mentioned)

Slowing down to a low airspeed. (That will reduce the wind pressure on the door, making it easier to open).

Pushing the door and opening it.(it might not opened all the way)

Which is exactly what a Japan airline crew did many years ago, when a crazy person robbed few passengers on board a 747 flight, and then asked the crew to open the door, when he jumped out with his parachute…(he turned out to be mentally ill and he was killed when his parachute did not open…)

The aircraft was descending to 3,000 feet, the crew lowered the speed to 200 knots, and two cabin crew members pushed the door halfway and he jumped. It's not the story that's important. It's the fact that a door can be opened in mid-air is what's important.

As I mentioned in the article, no crew will open the door in flight, but with my experience, knowing that it is possible at all is of a great significance, making all the difference.

As we all know, opening windows are a dream of every claustrophobic, but obviously it is not practical.

Instead, let me offer you an important tip:

Try to sit next to a window and not on the traditional isle seat.

As you sit down, look outside through the window as long as you can. By doing so, your eyes transmits to your brain a picture of huge open space, rather than looking inside the cabin, and getting the impression of being in a closed and small space, watching all the crowd around you. By replacing the view that you see you will feel the difference. I know how difficult it might be for people who traditionally will prefer an isle seat, but it is worth trying.

Drink a lot of water; and remember that the air inside the cabin comes from the outside, which means that somewhere, somehow, there is an access from inside, to outside of the plane, direct to the open air.

I hope that you will find my answer a useful one.

In my new "Relaxed Flight" audio CD there is a whole briefing for claustrophobics. If you wish, you can purchase the CD by clicking on the CD link on the shopping page of this website and you will be directed to the purchasing page.

Pleas do not hesitate to contact me for any future questions.

Regards - Captain Miki Katz

www.relaxedflight.com

About Captain Miki Katz
Miki is a senior captain on Boeing 777s in Israel’s international airline El Al. He has MPA/MBA degrees and specializes in fear of flying and passenger stress since 1993. Miki has initiated several programs to help passengers over their fear of flying, including a Flight without Fear seminar, the Friendly
Flight audio program, training programs for airline air crews, audio programs for airlines and others, which have won him the reputation of an international expert in this field.

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