Why do passengers always board an airplane from its left side?

By Times of India 

Why do passengers always board an airplane from its left side?Pic Credits: iStock

Have you ever been curious about why we always board an airplane from the left side? This is one of those normal things so usually ingrained in our traveling habits that we hardly ever raise questions about them.

Yet, this everyday practice has roots that stretch back centuries, to the days when humanity navigated the seas.

Dougie Sharpe, a Tik Tocker recently brought this fascinating connection between old maritime tradition and modern aviation.

His description in the video reveals how the 'left side' of boats, which was historically utilised to load and unload people, influences aircraft even today.

According to Sharpe in his video, "The reason we always load and unload planes from the left-hand side of the plane is a carryover from when humanity moved on boats."

 Boarding planes from the left side is inspired by maritime travels

Traditionally, the left side of boats was used to load and unload cargo and passengers. One might take this as a practice adopted because of the logistical simplicity it employed. Since ships could dock at any port in the world using standardised equipment and procedures. Sharpe elaborated: “This made things simple logistically and would allow ships to travel all over the world from port to port and always have the correct equipment on the correct side no matter where they went.”

The maritime operations led to the left side of a boat's left side being termed "port side," while its right side became referred to as "starboard." Aviation copied many of the maritime practices when it emerged, including this boarding process. The word starboard comes from an old English word, stéor (steer) and bord (side of the boat). The steering oar was on the right side, so the left side came to be known as the "port" side, from where passengers and cargo were loaded.

Practices were adapted according to the airport designs

For years, boarding was not an issue to distinguish between which side the passengers boarded from. At some point, the industry became a status that relied overly on airports. A standardization of boarding procedures had to be established to maintain uniformity in airports. Thus, the left-hand side of the aircraft became the boarding area for easy handling and to establish one order throughout the airports.

The design of the airports as well as the aircraft reinforced the practice.

The left seat in the cockpit is where the pilot sits. It would tend to allow him to judge distances much better and also line the aircraft up with the gate; so, it was practical to locate the boarding doors on the left-hand side.

To put it simply, the practice of boarding aircraft through the left side is a combination of historical seafaring customs and advanced operational pragmatics in keeping the air travel experience smooth and consistent worldwide.

As we continue to travel, these methods not only make things easier but also link us to our aeronautical past. Recognizing these connections enhances our travel experience and reminds us of the journeys that shaped our world.

Did you know?

1. Early aircraft like the Boeing 247 had doors on the right, but as the industry evolved, the left side became the preferred boarding side.

2. Aircraft are designed with larger doors on the left side for passenger boarding, while smaller service doors on the right maintain structural integrity.

3. Loading passengers on the left side allows for efficient use of space and resources, as ground crew can simultaneously handle cargo and refueling on the right side.

The practice of boarding airplanes from the left side ties aviation to its maritime origins, where ships traditionally loaded passengers from the port side. This historical link, combined with modern operational efficiency, ensures a seamless travel experience today.

About the Author

The TOI Lifestyle Desk is a dynamic team of dedicated journalists who, with unwavering passion and commitment, sift through the pulse of the nation to curate a vibrant tapestry of lifestyle news for The Times of India readers. 

Times of India