When you step onto an airplane or even when you just see it from afar, you’ve probably noticed that passengers almost always board on the left side. But have you ever wondered why? And what’s the deal with the right doors? This article dives into the historical and practical reasons behind these aviation customs.
The left-side boarding tradition is one of several aircraft customs that have their origins in the marine sector. This phrase dates back to the days when vessels had steering rudders on the right side and refers to the left side of a boat as the “port side” and the right side as the “starboard side.” The term “starboard” is essentially a synonym for “steer board,” designating the side with the steering rudder. Because vessels were traditionally docked on their left side, the word “portside” was coined (Diebolder, 2020).
Due to the fact that flying boats, like the Boeing 314, frequently utilized the same piers and ramps as boats, they soon acquired the same terminology and customs. With the introduction of jet aircraft, they continued this custom, and boarding on the left side became standard (Diebolder, 2020).
Practicality is the primary justification for upholding the left-side boarding custom. When passengers embark, a lot of labor needs to be done, including loading bags, stocking up on food, refueling, and connecting to extra services like electricity and air conditioning. Some of these duties can require delicate data, unsafe substances, or dangerous machinery. Boarding often takes place on the left side of the aircraft to keep passengers safely away from all of this activity (Clark, 2020).
Now, you might wonder why there’s even a right door if passengers mostly board from the left. Well, that right door is super important for safety. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules say that all commercial planes must be designed so that every passenger can get off the plane within 90 seconds. This rule is there because, in most cases, there’s a high risk of an airplane going boom after just two minutes (Hardiman, 2021).
To follow this rule and lower the risk of injuries in emergencies, every commercial airplane has a right-side door. This door is a big deal in getting folks out of the plane quickly during emergencies, making sure passengers can make a speedy exit (Singh, 2020).
So, in a nutshell, the tradition of boarding on the left side of an aircraft comes from maritime history and practical concerns. It keeps passengers away from all the action on the ground. Meanwhile, the right door is crucial for making sure everyone gets out fast during emergencies, following international safety rules, and reducing risks in tough situations.
Reference list
Diebolder, J. (2020). Why do PASSENGERS BOARD from the LEFT? Why does the CAPTAIN sit on the LEFT?Explained by CAPTAIN JOE. [online] www.youtube.com. Available at: https://youtu.be/TpVexTp1luM?si=bUc6SGeIKprKfjzs [Accessed 2 September 2023].
Clark, A. (2020). Why do we always board on the left-hand side of an aircraft? (and why is it called ‘port’ anyway?). [online] www.linkedin.com. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-do-we-always-board-left-hand-side-aircraft-called-adam-clark/ [Accessed 2 September 2023].
Hardiman, J. (2021). Why Do Passengers Almost Always Board From The Left? [online] Simple Flying. Available at: https://simpleflying.com/why-do-passengers-almost-always-board-from-the-left/ [Accessed 2 Sep. 2023].
Simple Flying (2022). Why Do Passengers Almost Always Board From The Left? [online] www.youtube.com. Available at: https://youtu.be/ad64wSIdfvw?si=pEQ_usyElaQigG7Z [Accessed 2 September 2023].
Singh, S. (2020). Why Aircraft Are Typically Boarded From The Left. [online] Simple Flying. Available at: https://simpleflying.com/aircraft-boarded-from-left/ [Accessed 2 September 2023].
