Passengers Say Napkins Were Used to Muffle ‘Hissing’ Sound on Air India Flight; Airline Issues Clarification

Passengers aboard an Air India flight from Delhi to Hong Kong on June 1 experienced a tense few minutes mid-air when a strange “shaking, hissing” noise started coming from one of the aircraft doors, according to reports. The flight, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, landed safely, and the airline later clarified that the noise was caused by a loose decorative panel—not a structural issue.

A LinkedIn user shared the account, claiming a passenger told him that about an hour after takeoff, the door of flight AI 314 began making unsettling noises. The user said flight attendants responded quickly, trying to muffle the sound by stuffing napkins into the panel gaps.

"Air hostesses jumped into action, holding and pushing the door back, using paper napkins to tighten the door. Thankfully, the flight landed safely in Hong Kong," the post said, alongside a photo allegedly showing napkins wedged into the door frame.

Responding, Air India issued a statement clarifying that the noise was not from the door itself but from a decorative panel. The airline stressed that there was no threat to passenger safety and said the crew acted appropriately to reduce the discomfort caused by the noise.

“A hissing sound started coming from the decorative door panel mid-flight. After confirming that there was no safety risk, the crew took steps to minimize the noise,” the airline said. Once the plane landed in Hong Kong, it was inspected by engineers and cleared for its return journey.

The return flight, AI 315 from Hong Kong to Delhi, operated without any issues. “All safety checks were completed and the aircraft was found to be in full compliance,” Air India added. “There was no noise on the return flight. We want to reassure our passengers that their safety, along with that of our crew, is always our top priority.”

Despite the scare, passengers arrived safely in Hong Kong, and the incident serves as a reminder of how even minor technical issues can cause anxiety at 35,000 feet.