Ryanair Passenger Nearly Ejected After Window Breaks Mid-Flight from Thessaloniki

A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Greece to Memmingen, Germany experienced a critical incident on Friday morning when a passenger window broke shortly after takeoff. The sudden decompression caused a 61-year-old Serbian tourist sitting next to the window to be partially sucked out of the aircraft. Fellow passengers and crew quickly intervened, holding the man in his seat until the pilots could execute an emergency landing back in Thessaloniki.

Passengers described hearing a loud explosion and waking to the sound of a tire bursting, followed by oxygen masks deploying and a strong odor in the cabin. The man’s safety belt, which he had not removed, prevented him from being fully ejected. Greek authorities reported he suffered friction burns and shock but was in stable condition after receiving medical treatment on the ground.

Ryanair confirmed the flight returned safely to Thessaloniki shortly after the window detached, and a replacement aircraft was arranged to continue the journey to Memmingen. The cause of the window failure remains under investigation. The incident ended without fatalities due to the quick response of passengers, crew, and the pilot’s emergency procedures.