The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on JetBlue flight 161 while the plane was taxiing. According to a police statement, the passenger, whose motive remains unclear, "suddenly and without warning" opened an overwing exit.
Swift action from fellow passengers prevented further escalation. They quickly restrained the individual until Massachusetts State Police arrived and took them into custody for questioning. The passenger is facing charges and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday morning.
JetBlue confirmed the incident, stating that a customer opened an emergency exit for unknown reasons. The airline emphasized that the individual remained on board while authorities responded.
This incident follows the tragic discovery of two deceased individuals in the wheel well of a JetBlue plane at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. This recent string of stowaway incidents, including a body found in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Maui on Christmas Eve, has raised serious concerns about aviation security.
Authorities have stated that the Boston incident appears to be isolated and does not pose an immediate threat to public safety. The identity of the passenger involved has not been released, pending the formal filing of charges.
