Reason Behind Boarding Airplanes from the Left Side
In the world of aviation, a seemingly innocuous tradition has its roots deeply embedded in maritime practices. For centuries, passengers have been boarding ships and airplanes from the left side, a custom that has become ingrained in our daily travel experiences.
This left-side boarding custom can be traced back to naval ships where the port side was the standard side for crew and passenger access, while the starboard side was reserved for cargo. The practice transferred from sea to air partly because early aircraft operations borrowed heavily from maritime protocols. For instance, World War I airplanes loaded troops from the left side, and the legacy endured into commercial aviation.
The aviation industry continued this practice from the maritime industry. The left side of the aircraft, known as the pier side, is used for landing and boarding of passengers, while the right side, the starboard side, is called the "service side" for cargo, fuel oil, and catering. The design of the passenger boarding bridges was based on this traditional landing and boarding of the left side of the aircraft.
The terms and concepts used in aviation were inspired by the maritime industry. The terms "port" and "starboard" are historical carryovers from the maritime industry. The term "port" for the left side of ships originates from the Latin word "portus" meaning "harbor" or "port." Similarly, the term "starboard," for the right side of ships, originates from the Old English word "steorra-bord" meaning "steer-board."
The rudder paddle on the first boats was placed on the right side, which might have influenced the side of passenger planes in modern times. The shape of the operation of the aircraft on the ground might have been influenced by the side of the rudder paddle on the first boats. Boats approached the left side of the pier so that the rudder paddle would not get caught.
The first passenger boarding bridges were used at airports in the USA by American Airlines in San Francisco in 1959. The tradition of boarding airplanes from the left side developed as a direct inheritance from maritime practices, where ships docked on their port (left) side to keep the starboard (right) side free for loading cargo and fuel. This arrangement enhances both safety and efficiency by keeping passengers separate from ground operations involving heavy equipment.
A notable example of this maritime legacy in aviation is Pan American Airways (Pan Am), a major pioneer in early international airline travel during the 1930s and 1940s. Pan Am operated large flying boats called "Clippers" which also aligned with maritime conventions in their docking and boarding processes, reinforcing this tradition in aviation.
Passengers who need special assistance, such as those using wheelchairs or stretchers, pass through the right-hand doors to the plane. This practice ensures that these passengers can be easily accommodated without disrupting the flow of regular passengers boarding from the left side.
In conclusion, the left-side boarding rule in aviation is a continuation of maritime port-side customs aimed at maximizing operational safety and efficiency. This tradition, while seemingly arbitrary, is a testament to the close relationship between the maritime and aviation industries and the enduring influence of maritime practices on modern aviation.
- The aviation industry, much like finance and transportation sectors, inherited various practices from maritime traditions, a clear example being the left-side boarding custom in aircrafts.
- In technology-driven aviation, the terminology "port" and "starboard" which signify the left and right sides of aircrafts, respectively, are derived from the maritime industry, showcasing the influence of ancient seafaring practices.
