Summary
Reasons for Boarding from the Left Side
Have you ever noticed that on commercial airplanes, you always board and deplane from the left-hand side? This practice is rooted in practical reasons.
For one thing, having a designated side for boarding optimizes airport infrastructure. Most commonly, travelers board and deplane via jet bridges, which are specifically designed to attach to the left side of an aircraft. Given the extensive number of gates at airports, allowing planes to line up to the right or left of the jet bridge could lead to confusion.
Safety Considerations
Moreover, the choice of the left side is primarily driven by safety concerns. According to Dan Bubb, a former pilot and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, “Many aircraft operations take place on the right-hand side of the aircraft — fueling, loading and unloading bags, catering, etc.” Therefore, boarding passengers on the right side while vehicles and equipment are in operation would pose significant risks.
This maintains even more importance when deplaning via a staircase instead of a jet bridge, highlighting the necessity of keeping passengers and crew away from potentially hazardous activities.
Historical Context of Boarding Practices
Interestingly, the tradition of boarding from the left side predates modern aviation. The terms port and starboard are nautical references to the left and right sides of a vessel. The etymology of “port side” relates to boarding practices on boats.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the word starboard derives from Old English, where “stér” means steer and “bord” refers to the side of a boat. Historically, sailors used oars for steering, positioning them on the right side due to the predominance of right-handedness. Thus, when a boat docked, the left side was designated for loading. To mitigate confusion with “larboard,” the left side was renamed “port.” Interestingly, while boats can now be boarded from either side, airplanes strictly adhere to left-side boarding.
Consequently, the custom of boarding from the left side of a plane results from a combination of logistical and safety considerations. Jet bridges are engineered to align with aircraft’s left sides, while the right side remains available for essential operations, including cargo handling and refueling.
