Who is permitted to open aircraft doors?

• A. Maintainers only
• B. Only Leads
• C. Flight attendants only
• D. Pilots and flight crew

Answer: (B)

Opening a cabin door is a safety-critical action that must be controlled by a trained, authorized person. The lead cabin crew member is the designated person to perform door opening because they have the responsibility and the training to verify all safety checks are in place—ensuring the area is clear, the slide is armed or disarmed as required, and everyone is accounted for—before the door is opened. This centralized authority helps prevent accidental or unsafe door operation during boarding, deplaning, or evacuation, and it keeps coordination consistent with the flight deck and ground crew. Other roles aren’t authorized to open doors on their own during normal operations; maintenance personnel work in maintenance contexts, and pilots or other flight crew generally operate doors only under the lead’s direction or in specific emergency procedures.