Ryanair flight makes emergency landing after Boeing 737 window dislodges midair

A Ryanair flight bound for Germany made an emergency return to Greece on Friday after a passenger window on a Boeing 737 became dislodged shortly after takeoff, triggering a rapid decompression and prompting oxygen masks to deploy.

The flight, operated by Ryanair subsidiary Malta Air, departed Thessaloniki for Memmingen before turning back and landing safely at Thessaloniki Airport. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft returned shortly after takeoff after the crew declared an emergency.

Boeing aiding investigation

Passengers reported hearing a loud bang before the window came loose. Multiple media reports said an engine problem may have sent debris into the aircraft, striking the window, but officials have not confirmed a cause. An investigation is underway.

“Boeing is assisting the investigation led by the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Committee of the Republic of North Macedonia,” a Boeing spokesperson told KIRO Newsradio. “We are thinking of the passengers and crew of flight FR1879. We remain in contact with and continue to support our customer, Ryanair.”

Several reports said a 61-year-old passenger seated near the damaged window was partially pulled toward the opening during the decompression but remained in the aircraft because he was wearing his seatbelt. Fellow passengers, including his wife, helped keep him in his seat until the plane landed safely.

Photos and video from inside the cabin show the missing window and deployed oxygen masks as passengers awaited the emergency landing.

Ryanair releases statement

In a statement, Ryanair said the flight “returned to Thessaloniki shortly after takeoff when a passenger window dislodged in flight.” The airline said the aircraft landed normally and passengers returned to the terminal before continuing to Germany on a replacement aircraft.

According to aircraft registration records, the 18-year-old Boeing 737-800 was built in Renton, Washington.

The incident comes as Boeing continues to face heightened scrutiny over aircraft safety following two fatal 737 MAX crashes and the 2024 midair door-plug blowout aboard an Alaska Airlines flight. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg testified before a Senate Committee that Boeing has made multiple safety changes.

“We’re seeing very good improvement in the overall quality of the fuselages, and particularly around any door-related issues. We’ve added significant amount of inspection,” Ortberg told the committee. “Every door is going through additional inspection to make sure there are no workmanship errors that would require rework at a later date in our production facility.”

There is no indication the incidents are related, and investigators have not determined what caused Friday’s emergency.

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