Why do you always have to get on a plane at the left hand side even though you are using the steps?

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McDSpooky

By the end of the First World War, the rotary engine was the most common design for powerful fighter aircraft. In this layout, the cylinders were arranged radially around the propeller's axle, and the axle was fixed to the aircraft so that the entire engine spun around it. The momentum of the spinning engine kept it turning even when it misfired, giving a fair chance of recovering if a misfire occurred. When it came to steering rotary-engined aircraft, turns in one direction were with the torque of the engine, while turns in the opposite direction were against it, and required much more rudder movement to compensate. It so happened that the most successful manufacturer's engine spun in the direction that made left turns easier. As a result, pilots chose, whenever possible, to turn left, and the traffic patterns around airfields as pilots manoeuvred to land usually involved only left turns. When side-by-side seating became available (pilot and passenger, or pilot and co-pilot in larger aircraft), including in later First World War bombers, the left-hand seat was usually configured for the pilot (with more complete instruments and controls), because that seat afforded better visibility for the relatively frequent left turns.

It is simply convention, contary to what a previous answerer the doors on either side of the aircraft are identical and you could quite easily depart on the right hand side.

David B

For speed and safety. When an aircraft lands its only on the ground for a limited time. As passengers leave via the left, catering are emptying and restocking the galleys for the next flights via the right. And the toilet emptying team are also messing about on the right hand side.

David..

john r

Plane makers have standardised the normal doors. All, non emergency entrances and exits are on the left, port, side. This is so that aircraft taxi to the loading ramps in standard directions, avoids confusion and accidents.

greg m

Give John R the points as he's the only one who understood the question.

sashjohn

i dont know