A Vietnam Airlines representative said the Vietnamese passenger, 58, opened the door soon after the aircraft from Hanoi arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
The aircraft was scheduled to fly to Hong Kong next, but that flight had to be delayed, causing damage of nearly US$20,000, according to the representative.
As the Airbus aircraft had to be pulled out of flight schedule for technical check, two other Vietnam Airlines flights to Danang and Hanoi were also affected.
No penalty has been announced. But opening emergency doors is an act punishable by between VND10-VND20 million under Vietnam’s aviation rules.