Why do passenger boad through the left side of the airplane

[ezzra]

This has become an established convention that goes unquestioned these days but it dates back to the early days of aviation.

In times past an aircraft would taxi close to the terminal building in order to load and unload passengers. Since by convention the pilot sits in the left-hand seat of the aircraft it's much easier for him or her to judge wing clearance if they approach the terminal on the left side of the aircraft.

 

Left side doors therefore made it more convenient for passengers to transit between the aircraft and the terminal, as well as safer than having to circle around the aircraft.

An even more basic reason for left sided entry/exit dates back to the very early days of nautical travel. Before centre-mounted tillers, ships were steered by a steering oar mounted on the right side of the ship.

To allow the ship to tie up alongside a quay without the steering oar becoming jammed, the ship would berth with its left - "port" - side against the quay.

Once airbridges became common it was necessary for aircraft builders to set the convention of left side doors in concrete.

The loading of cargo and passengers' baggage, galley loading, refuelling trucks and external air and power happens on the right side. This keeps passengers entering or exiting separated from those functions and also allows the pilot to keep the right engine running if required.

 

[Crossy]

Not exactly a new revelation, and, if you are going to cut-n-paste from another site please leave a link.

 

[daveAustin]

Why do passenger boad through the left side of the airplane

 

Umm, because the door is on the left. 

[ubonjoe]

Look where the stairs are in this photo. Convair CV-240 and CV-600 had the passenger door on the right side of the plane.

[Chicog]

7 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Why do passenger boad through the left side of the airplane

 

Umm, because the door is on the left. 

 

There is usually  a door on the right as well. You'll occasionally see it being used to load catering or Wheelchair passengers.

 

 

[mogandave]

Some aircraft the tail section drops down and you exit through tail. 

[tw25rw]

You mount a horse from the left too..

[chris26be]

On ‎22‎/‎01‎/‎2017 at 2:40 AM, ubonjoe said:

Look where the stairs are in this photo. Convair CV-240 and CV-600 had the passenger door on the right side of the plane.

The name on the plane says it all: 'wRIGHT' ... :)