B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 168; Flight Crew Type 10000
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Workload; Situational Awareness; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Human Factors
We were stopped momentarily at Taxiway Delta. The APU was not yet on the bus and I shut down the number two engine. We then proceeded to the gate without any communication from the Flight Attendants that there was a problem. As the Passengers were getting off of the airplane; Flight Attendant; advised us that the Flight Attendants believed they heard a ding and believed we were at the gate when we were still on the taxiway. They let the Passengers up and cracked open the doors. Once we began to taxi; the Flight Attendants immediately closed the doors and seated the Passengers. The Flight Attendants did not advise us of the situation until we were at the gate. We did not turn the seatbelt sign off until we were at the gate with both engines shutdown.Better communication between the Flight Attendants and Pilots.  The First Officer cancelled the door open master caution without advising me just after I shut down the number two engine. Pilots could have briefed the Passengers when we were momentarily delayed.
[Report narrative contained no additional information].
A B737 flight attendant crew heard a 'DING' after the aircraft stopped taxiing and thought the aircraft was at the gate. They allowed passengers up and opened the doors. However; the Captain had only stopped to give way to another aircraft and shut down an engine which caused the electrical power shift to make a 'DING' sound in the cabin. They then taxied to the gate.