A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft
Enroute on Aircraft X from ZZZZ to ZZZ we were unable to open the flight deck door. The flight deck crew had requested a bathroom break. The Captain went out and returned normally. However; when the First Officer called to return to the flight deck; the Lead Flight Attendant was unable to open the door. The bottom latch was not unlatching; while the upper latch and mid latch were unlatching normally with the door handle. The flight attendant tried using a metal key to pry the latch open. The Captain tried the unlock switch on the center pedestal. Nothing worked. We communicated with the First Officer and told him the flight deck door was stuck locked. The only option left to us was to pull the pins on the emergency/blowout panel on the door. When this was accomplished the opening allowed the flight attendant to exit the flight deck and the First Officer to return to the flight deck. This was done discreetly but was likely witnessed by some passengers in first class. Once the First Officer was inside the flight deck; the panel was reinstalled and secured with the pins. The rest of the flight continued normally. However; both the Captain and First Officer had to exit the flight deck using the panel once the flight was completed (this was accomplished after all passengers had deplaned) as the flight deck door remain stuck closed and locked. A write up was made in the Maintenance Logbook and the aircraft was turned over to Maintenance. Nothing more to add.The flight crew handled the unusual situation professionally.
Pilot flying A320 aircraft reported Flight Deck door stuck in closed position inflight.