Ryanair flight returns to Thessaloniki after cabin window dislodges, passenger injured

A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, was forced to return shortly after departure on Friday after a cabin window became dislodged in flight, resulting in a cabin depressurisation and leaving one passenger injured.

Flight FR1879, operated by Malta Air using a Boeing 737-800, carrying registration 9H-QEU, departed Thessaloniki before turning back and making a safe landing after the crew declared an emergency. According to passenger accounts reported by Greek media, a loud bang was heard during the climb before a window next to one of the passengers failed, prompting the automatic deployment of the aircraft’s oxygen masks.

Witnesses said a 61-year-old Serbian passenger seated beside the damaged window was partially pulled toward the opening during the rapid decompression. Fellow passengers, including his wife, reportedly held him in his seat until the aircraft landed safely. He was later transported to AHEPA University General Hospital in Thessaloniki with minor injuries, including suspected neck injuries and abrasions.

Early media reports suggested that debris from an engine failure may have struck the aircraft and shattered the window. However, this has not been confirmed by investigators.

In a statement, Ryanair said Flight FR1879 returned to Thessaloniki shortly after take-off after “a passenger window dislodged inflight.” The airline said the aircraft landed normally, passengers disembarked safely, and one passenger requested medical assistance after landing. A replacement aircraft was subsequently arranged to continue the journey to Memmingen.

The circumstances that caused the window to fail remain unclear. Aviation authorities are expected to investigate the incident to determine whether the damage resulted from an engine malfunction, structural failure, or another cause.

The aircraft involved was a Malta Air-operated Boeing 737-800 flying on behalf of Ryanair. Flight tracking data of Flightradar24 shows the aircraft returned to Thessaloniki approximately one hour after departure instead of continuing to its scheduled destination in southern Germany.

BREAKING: Ryanair passenger reportedly saved from being sucked out the cabin after window fails during a flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen.

According to local media Ryanair flight FR1879, a Boeing 737-8AS, returned safely to Greece on Friday after part of a damaged engine… pic.twitter.com/YPgRodjPFp

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) July 10, 2026