Why cockpit doors stay open during boarding

Pilots often keep the cockpit door open during boarding to coordinate final details with crew and ground teams. This includes passenger counts, fuel status, weather updates and last-minute paperwork needed before departure.

By Colson Thayer – People

Ground staff, maintenance and dispatch may need to enter the flight deck to deliver documents or update flight plans. Flight attendants also use this window to flag any cabin issues to the pilots so decisions can be made quickly.

Once the aircraft is in operation, the law requires the cockpit door to be closed and locked. Post-9/11 rules strengthened this mandate to protect the flight deck during flight.

Industry groups continue to push additional safeguards. The Air Line Pilots Association advocates secondary barriers to protect the cockpit whenever the main door must be opened in flight; some carriers have begun fitting them.