New Delhi/Hong Kong – An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route from New Delhi to Hong Kong experienced a mid-air scare earlier this month when a cabin door panel reportedly began to shake, emitting hissing noises, prompting cabin crew to use paper napkins in an attempt to suppress the disturbance.
The incident occurred aboard Flight AI-314, shortly after takeoff from Indira Gandhi International Airport. Approximately one hour into the journey, passengers noticed a rattling sound near one of the aircraft doors, accompanied by a steady hissing noise. Eyewitnesses described the door panel as “visibly vibrating,” raising concern among those onboard.
According to reports, flight attendants quickly assessed the situation and identified that a non-structural interior panel had loosened due to pressure fluctuations. To minimize the noise and movement, the crew used napkins and pressed them into the panel’s edges. Despite the unsettling scene, the aircraft maintained cabin pressure and continued the journey without diverting. It landed safely at Hong Kong International Airport.
In a statement, Air India confirmed that the integrity of the door remained uncompromised and that the crew followed standard safety procedures. “At no point was the safety of passengers at risk. A minor noise issue was managed in-flight, and the aircraft was cleared for its return after thorough inspection in Hong Kong,” the airline said.
Aviation experts explained that Boeing 787 doors are designed with plug-type mechanisms that cannot open mid-flight due to cabin pressurization. Minor door seal imperfections or panel issues can cause noise but do not jeopardize aircraft safety.
This incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet, following a separate event on June 16 when Flight AI-315 — the return leg from Hong Kong to Delhi — was forced to turn back mid-air due to a suspected technical fault. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers were rebooked.
The recent incidents also follow the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, which claimed over 270 lives. Authorities have since intensified safety inspections across the airline’s fleet. As of June 28, India’s aviation regulator, DGCA, confirmed that 26 of Air India’s 33 Dreamliners had undergone enhanced checks, with no significant safety concerns detected.
Air India maintains that passenger safety remains its utmost priority and that all Dreamliners are subject to rigorous pre-flight and post-flight inspections.