10 of the deadliest airline hijackings in history

For most of us, stepping onto a plane is routine– buckle up, take off, and land safely at our destination. But for some, that journey turned into a fight for survival. From ruthless terrorists to mysterious hijackers whose motives remain unknown, the history of aviation is marked by terrifying moments when control of the aircraft was seized, often with tragic consequences.
These weren’t just crimes; they were global crises– hostages held for weeks, daring military rescues, and, in some cases, catastrophic endings. From the explosive tragedy of Iraqi Airways Flight 163 to the legendary rescue at Entebbe, here are ten of the deadliest airline hijackings that changed aviation security forever. These ten hijackings weren’t just moments of terror– they changed aviation forever, forcing the world to rethink security, negotiation tactics, and the true cost of air travel safety. Note: This list is based on data presented by investigativeproject(dot)org.

The 1968 hijacking of El Al Flight 426 was one of the longest and most intense in aviation history. The flight from London to Rome was seized by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and diverted to Algiers. For 40 days, tense negotiations took place before the hijackers finally freed the hostages. The incident exposed serious security risks for airlines, especially those flying through conflict zones, and led to stricter safety measures worldwide.

On September 6, 1970, the PFLP pulled off a daring and terrifying move by hijacking four planes in a single day. The hijackers took two of these flights to Dawson’s Field in Jordan, where they held 310 passengers and crew hostage. While they released non-Jewish hostages, they kept Jewish passengers and flight crew members behind. The situation escalated, with the hijackers blowing up the empty planes, leading to international political tensions, particularly between the Jordanian government and Palestinian factions.

In 1976, Air France Flight 139, traveling from Athens to Paris, was hijacked by four militants who diverted the flight to Uganda. The hijackers made demands for the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the situation at Entebbe Airport quickly became a standoff. But in an operation that became legendary, Israeli commandos stormed the airport, rescuing 105 passengers. The operation was successful, though it resulted in the deaths of three passengers, an Israeli commando, and 45 Ugandan soldiers.

Lufthansa Flight 181 was hijacked in 1977 by members of the PFLP, who diverted the plane across multiple countries before it finally landed in Somalia. The hijackers demanded the release of prisoners, and after several days, a dramatic rescue by the German counter-terrorism unit GSG 9 freed all 86 passengers on board. The operation saved lives but also resulted in the deaths of two of the hijackers, as well as injuries to others.

The 1977 hijacking of Malaysia Airlines Flight 653 remains a mystery. The flight from Penang to Kuala Lumpur was taken over by an unknown hijacker, and soon after, all communication was lost. The plane crashed in a rural area, killing all 100 people on board. To this day, the identity of the hijacker and their motives are unknown, making it one of aviation’s greatest unsolved cases.

On June 14, 1985, TWA Flight 847 was hijacked by six members of Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad shortly after departing from Athens. The hijackers took the plane to Beirut, then to Algiers, and back to Beirut again. Over the course of two weeks, they made multiple demands, including the release of prisoners, and executed an American navy diver in front of the crew. The hostages were eventually freed, but the hijacking left a lasting impact on those involved. Fortunately, no more lives were lost, but the trauma remained.

In 1985, EgyptAir Flight 648 was hijacked by members of the Abu Nidal Organization, a group known for its extreme violence. The hijackers wanted to divert the plane to Libya, but Egyptian authorities tried to stop them, leading to a tense standoff. The plane was forced to land in Malta, where Egyptian commandos attempted a rescue. However, the operation went terribly wrong, and 56 people were killed, making it one of the deadliest hijackings in history.

On September 5, 1986, Pan Am Flight 73 was hijacked while preparing for departure in Karachi, Pakistan. Four armed men from the Abu Nidal Organization took control, but the crew managed to escape through an emergency hatch, leaving the passengers at the mercy of the hijackers. When their demands were not met, the hijackers opened fire. Amid the chaos, flight purser Neerja Bhanot showed incredible bravery, helping passengers escape and shielding children from gunfire. She lost her life saving others and was later honored as a hero for her courage.

On July 25, 1986, Iraqi Airways Flight 163 was hijacked by members of Hezbollah. The hijackers detonated grenades in the cabin, leading to a horrific explosion that caused the plane to crash in Saudi Arabia. Sixty-three people were killed, including 60 passengers and three crew members. The explosion marked the escalation of hijackings in the Middle East, with more violent tactics being employed by terrorists in subsequent years.

On November 23, 1996, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 was hijacked by three men seeking asylum in Australia. The plane, running out of fuel, was forced to attempt an emergency landing in the Comoros Islands. However, the attempt failed, and the plane crashed into the sea. While some passengers survived the initial impact, the event left 122 people dead. The shocking crash was filmed by a tourist on the beach and remains one of the most disturbing hijacking events ever captured on camera.