Why Do Unticketed Stowaways Still Board Commercial Planes?

The phenomenon of unauthorized passengers boarding commercial aircraft remains a strange, persistent challenge for global aviation security. Despite multiple layers of checks, unticketed passengers continue to evade airport security protocols. This highlights critical vulnerabilities in passenger processing systems. Recent high-profile incidents across major global hubs have forced airlines and regulators to re-evaluate gate access controls.

Recent Incidents Highlight Security Weaknesses

Several cases in late 2023 and 2024 brought this issue into sharp focus. In December, a man boarded a British Airways flight to Oslo at London Heathrow without a ticket or passport. He reportedly "tailgated" through automatic gates and security. Cabin crew eventually discovered the man and removed him from the Airbus A320.

Another man flew from Copenhagen to Los Angeles in 2023 with no ticket, visa, or passport. Earlier that year, a man flew on a British Airways flight from London to New York. He was charged upon his return to the UK. Separately, a Russian national boarded a Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Paris without a boarding pass.

The Fatal Risk of Wheel-Well Stowaways

While cabin stowaways exploit passenger processing gaps, others attempt a far more dangerous method. The FAA notes that hiding in a plane's wheel well is a common method. These attempts often end fatally due to extreme cold and lack of oxygen. Recent discoveries of deceased individuals in the landing gear of United Airlines and JetBlue aircraft underscore this tragic risk.

How Stowaways Exploit the System

The primary method for cabin access is exploiting high-traffic areas. Experts point to "bottlenecks where passenger processing occurs." Staff focus on maximizing throughput, creating distractions. This environment allows tailgating security lapse incidents to occur.

• Tailgating: An unauthorized person follows a legitimate passenger closely through an automated or staffed checkpoint.
• Human Courtesy: Stowaways rely on a passenger holding a door or security staff assuming they are with a group.
• Onboard Evasion: One stowaway reportedly moved between bathrooms to avoid detection by cabin crew.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported a significant number of security bypasses in the US. Since March 2023, there were over 300 instances of people bypassing parts of airport security in the US. Of those, 80 bypassed the ID check podium. This trend highlights the need for stronger airline security protocols.

Industry Response and Future Technology

The recurrence of airport security breaches raises serious questions about the robustness of global security. If an unticketed passenger can board, the system is vulnerable to more malicious threats. The breaches can lead to costly delays, investigations, and heightened regulatory scrutiny.

The industry is now focusing on technology to close these gaps.

Biometrics and AI-Powered Access Control

Advanced technology offers a path to mitigate the human element of security lapses.

• Biometric Self-Boarding: Initiatives like IATA's One ID push for a single biometric token (e.g., facial scan) for all checkpoints. This replaces manual ID and boarding pass checks.
• Anti-Tailgating Technology: New systems, such as Security Mantrap Portals and Time-of-Flight cameras, are designed to detect and prevent "piggybacking."
• AI Surveillance: AI-powered video analytics can detect tailgating in real-time at secure entry points.

While these incidents pose a significant challenge, the aviation sector is committed to continuous improvement. The goal is to strengthen security without slowing down passenger flow. As technology advances, the likelihood of this commercial aviation stowaways method succeeding should decrease. For more updates on flight operations, visit our aviation news section. The focus remains on a risk-based, data-driven approach to security, as advocated by international bodies like ICAO and IATA.