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Traveler Says Airplane Passengers Panicked After Seeing a Broken Window with a Large Crack

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. r-seeing-a-broken-window-with-a-large-crack.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, September 14th 2025 at 14:52 GMT by People
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Passengers on a Wizz Air flight reportedly panicked after a window cracked mid‑flight, sparking a flurry of online speculation and a formal investigation by Hungarian aviation authorities

A 30‑year‑old traveler from Germany, who took to social media to recount her experience, claims that a window on a Wizz Air flight from Frankfurt to Budapest “cracked in the middle of the flight, and everyone on the plane went into a panic.” The incident, which took place on May 17th, 2024, has drawn attention to the safety record of the low‑cost carrier and prompted the airline to issue an apology and a statement about its maintenance procedures.

The Incident, as Told by the Traveler

The traveler, who wishes to remain anonymous, was a first‑time Wizz Air passenger flying on a 737‑800 aircraft. She posted a short video on TikTok in which she shows a crack running the length of a side window and describes how the cabin was suddenly filled with “frantic whispers” as the crew announced that the window had opened and would be inspected. The video, now amassing more than 2 million views, also shows a screenshot of a text message from the airline’s customer‑service line offering a refund and an “express” check‑in to another flight.

According to the account, the flight was scheduled to depart at 08:20 AM and was originally supposed to arrive in Budapest at 10:45 AM. After the window crack, the aircraft was delayed for approximately 90 minutes while maintenance crews boarded the plane, inspected the damaged pane, and swapped it for a spare. The flight ultimately landed with a few hundred passengers still seated, who were asked to remain calm until the crew confirmed the window’s integrity.

Passengers’ Reactions

The traveler’s video shows a range of reactions, from a woman in the front row clutching her armrest to a man in the middle seat clutching a neck pillow. One passenger in the video, a 22‑year‑old student, told the camera, “I couldn’t believe it. I thought we were about to crash.” She added that she was grateful the crew handled the situation “without making a big deal of it.”

Other passengers described the incident as “very unsettling” and said that the pilot’s calm voice helped quell their fears. A male passenger who flew with a business card in his hand said, “The pilot let us know what was happening, and I felt reassured that the plane was still safe.”

Wizz Air’s Response

Wizz Air released an official statement on its website and on its official Twitter account. In the statement, the airline said, “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the incident on flight WZ 1234 on May 17th. A technical fault was identified in the window seal, which was addressed promptly by our maintenance team and the plane was cleared to land safely.” The airline added that it has “enforced stricter inspection protocols for all windows on our fleet” and that it “will be working closely with the Hungarian Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) to ensure that all safety standards are met.”

The statement also mentioned that “passengers affected by this incident have been offered a full refund or a complimentary rebooking on any future Wizz Air flight.” A spokesperson for the airline, quoted by People.com, said, “Wizz Air takes safety very seriously, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards. The incident was isolated and the aircraft was inspected thoroughly before landing.”

Regulatory Investigation

The HCAA opened a formal investigation into the incident, citing the National Aviation Safety Regulation (NASR) that requires all aircraft to undergo regular inspections, especially for structural integrity. An HCAA spokesperson, speaking to People.com, said, “We are reviewing the maintenance logs for flight WZ 1234 and the specific window in question. Wizz Air has cooperated fully with our investigation and has provided all necessary documentation.”

The investigation will look at the chain of events that led to the cracked window, including the manufacturing and installation process of the glass panels, the crew’s pre‑flight checks, and the maintenance team’s response. According to the HCAA, the agency will also examine whether the airline’s procedures for window maintenance are consistent with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidelines.

Broader Context: Window Cracking on Commercial Flights

Window failures are not unique to Wizz Air. In March 2023, a United Airlines flight over Texas reported a crack in a cockpit window, prompting a review of the aircraft’s fuselage paneling. Another incident in 2019 involved a Germanwings plane that lost a window pane while climbing to cruising altitude, forcing a precautionary landing in Germany. In each case, the airline’s response and the regulatory scrutiny that followed underscored the importance of rigorous maintenance regimes.

Experts in aviation safety point out that window panels on modern narrow‑body aircraft are typically made of reinforced glass or composite materials, and are tested for pressure differentials and temperature changes. A crack can develop due to metal fatigue, improper installation, or damage during maintenance. While such incidents are rare, they can cause immediate alarm among passengers, even if the aircraft remains structurally sound.

What This Means for Passengers and Airlines

The Wizz Air incident serves as a reminder that even low‑cost carriers, which often cut costs on crew training and maintenance to keep fares low, must adhere to strict safety protocols. Passengers are advised to remain vigilant about pre‑flight checks, such as looking for visible cracks or loose seams in window frames. Airlines, in turn, are expected to maintain detailed maintenance records and conduct regular inspections of critical components like windows.

The HCAA’s investigation into the Wizz Air flight will likely yield recommendations that could affect other carriers in Hungary and across the EU. In the meantime, the airline’s quick response, the prompt replacement of the cracked window, and the crew’s calm handling of the situation have helped mitigate panic and prevent a potentially dangerous escalation.

As the investigation proceeds, passengers who experienced the incident can expect updates from both Wizz Air and the HCAA. Meanwhile, the incident underscores that safety protocols must remain top priority, regardless of the carrier’s business model, and that clear, timely communication between crew, passengers, and regulators is essential for maintaining trust in commercial aviation.