Why Are Commercial Planes Always Parked at the Gate on Their Right Side?

When boarding a commercial airplane, have you ever noticed that the galley is almost always located on the right side of the plane, while passengers enter the aircraft from the left?

This seemingly minor detail actually has a long history rooted in maritime traditions. Today, we will explore why commercial planes are always parked at the gate on their right side and how maritime practices have influenced the aviation industry.

A Long-Standing Tradition

Long before the advent of airplanes, the maritime industry had established a standard practice for the location of embarkation and disembarkation points. Ships would dock with passengers and crew boarding from the left-hand port side. This practice has been in place for centuries and was carried over into the aviation industry.

When commercial airliners were being designed, engineers and manufacturers naturally incorporated the same design principles, even though the mechanics of boarding and unboarding are quite different between ships and planes. Airplane interiors are designed so that entry from the left side is more convenient and efficient, which is why the port side (left side) of the plane is equipped with the entry doors for passengers.

Historical Context and Terminology

To fully understand this tradition, we need to delve into the maritime vocabulary that has been adopted in the aviation industry. The terms port and starboard are commonly used to describe the left and right sides of an aircraft, respectively. In maritime terminology, "port" refers to the left side and is where passengers embark, while "starboard" historically referred to the right side of the ship, facing the water.

Interestingly, this maritime influence extends to other aspects of aviation. For instance, in the United States, it is customary to drive on the right side of the road, which is consistent with the historical practices of mounting horses on the left side and the naming convention of the aircraft's sides.

Standardization in Aircraft Design

Consider the layout of a commercial jet during boarding: on the left side (port side), you will find the fold-up seats for the cabin crew and a bulkhead used to store coats and other items. On the right side (starboard side), the galley is located. Once the airplane is parked at the gate, the food service truck will pull up almost immediately, open the right-side door, and begin restocking the plane for the next flight leg. This arrangement ensures that the left side remains accessible for passenger boarding and exiting.

It's worth noting that there are no commercial jets currently in service that have the galley on the left side. This design has become standardized across the industry, as it facilitates efficient operations and maintains uniformity in aircraft design.

Conclusion

The positioning of commercial planes at the gate on their right side is a carry-over from maritime practices. This tradition, rooted in centuries of ship design and operation, has been adopted and adapted for use in the aviation industry. Understanding the historical context and the influence of maritime practices can provide valuable insights into the modern designs of commercial airplanes and the rationale behind their configurations.

Keywords: airplane gate placement, airplane boarding side, galley placement, maritime influence, commercial aviation history