HAVE you ever stopped to wonder why you always exit a plane on the left side?

It turns out there is a reason why this is the case – and it’s not just planes who have this procedure.

The reason that we exit from the left side is a nod to ships’ “port side” on the left side of the vessel.

Michael Oakley, managing editor of The Aviation Historian explained to AFAR Media: “It is one of the many aviation practices that goes back beyond aviation itself to the traditions of ships.

“Much of aviation terminology had its origins in maritime lore (rudder, cockpit, cabin, bulkhead, knots, etc), and similarly, the aeronautical ways of doing things owe a lot to sailing.

“Just as boats and ships have a port side—the side of the vessel conventionally adjacent to the dock when in port—aircraft are the same. 

“Sensibly, people decided to continue to board on the port (or left) side.”

Having a unified side of the plane for exiting is more efficient for planes arriving and departing at different airports around the world.

Passengers typically board and disembark via jet bridges, which attach to the left side of the plane.

If some planes had a right exit side instead, it would add another layer of organisation to ensure a plane lined up with the correct jet bridge when they landed at an airport.

A former pilot also gave his views on the left side being chosen.

Dan Bubb, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said: “Many aircraft operations take place on the right-hand side of the aircraft — fueling, loading and unloading bags, catering, etc.

“It would be very dangerous to board passengers on that side of the aircraft while there are vehicles and other equipment moving.”

When aviation was starting to grow, there were some planes that did have a right hand door.

Bob van der Linden, a supervisory curator in the aeronautics department of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C said: “In the 1930s, the Boeing 247—the first modern airliner—had the passenger door open on the right, as was customary with United Airlines at the time.

Just as boats and ships have a port side—the side of the vessel conventionally adjacent to the dock when in port—aircraft are the same

Michael Oakleymanaging editor of The Aviation Historian

“When United purchased the excellent Douglas DC-3 in the mid-1940s, they ordered the aircraft with a right-hand door while most other DC-3 operators requested a left-hand door. Over time, as the industry grew and airports became increasingly busy, the left-hand door became the preferred arrangement so that airport operations could be streamlined and standardised.”

Many people were shocked at learning the information, with one commenting: “All true, May I also add, the term starboard comes from the fact they used to have a steering board on the right side of the ship.”

Another added: “So that’s why is called port side. That’s actually crazy.”

And a third added: “I never could remember port and starboard, and which was which, until now thank you so much much.”

Meanwhile a fourth wrote: “It makes sense to build an airport like a sea port they function very similarly.”

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