Pre-flight passenger preparation is sometimes viewed as a sequence of actions that individuals believe they must tolerate because “those are the rules.” But here’s an unexpected thought that may cross your mind the next time you board a plane: “Why is boarding done from the left?”
The practice of boarding passengers on the left side can be traced back to maritime traditions. When ships initially began moving passengers and freight, their sides were referred to in English as starboard and port side. Starboard is derived from the Old English term steorbord, which means “side with the steering.”
On early ships, the steering mechanism was frequently located on the right side, therefore starboard denoted the right side. The port side, on the other hand, refers to the left side of the pier, where docking and loading occurred. This was done to make steering easier, as the rudder was on the right side. The left side was previously referred to as larboard (meaning “loading side”), a term derived from the Old English word lodeboard. This is why the left side of the ship was often utilized for boarding people and loading goods, while the right side was frequently engaged with steering.
Over time, the names starboard and port became customary in the marine business, and the same norms were also adopted in aviation. When the earliest airplanes were designed, engineers adopted numerous ideas and regulations from the maritime sector, such as docking and loading protocols.
In the early days of aviation, all airlines and airports needed to follow uniform and efficient practices. Because marine transport had previously evolved well-established practices, aircraft chose to follow suit. As a result, the left side of the plane was dedicated to boarding passengers and loading cargo.
Modern airliners and airports are purposely designed to reflect this legacy. The left side of the aircraft is outfitted with passenger boarding doors, and airport infrastructure, such as boarding bridges and terminal zones, is built to support this. The right side of the plane is typically reserved for technical services, refueling, and baggage loading, making the left side safer and more efficient for boarding and disembarking passengers.
Standardizing and unifying procedures in the aviation industry is crucial for maintaining safety and efficiency. When everyone understands what to expect and where things should take place, the chance of mistakes and delays is significantly reduced. Using the same side of the aircraft for passenger boarding and deboarding streamlines operations, reduces procedure time, and clarifies and manages the process for all parties involved.
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