Airstairs are a common feature of many commercial airplanes From the Boeing 737 to the Airbus A320, they are used for boarding. Passengers can board the airplane by using its airstairs. What are airstairs exactly, and how do they work?
What Are Airstairs?
Airstairs are exactly what they sound like: stairs for an airplane. They were originally introduced with the Margin 2-0-2 and Martin 4-0-4. Since then, airstairs have become an integral feature of many commercial airplanes.
Also known simply as passenger stairs, airstairs provide a safe and efficient method of boarding. They consist of stairs — typically in a clamshell design — in the back of an airplane. Passengers can board or disembark the airplane by climbing the airstairs.
How Airstairs Work?
There are different types of airstairs, some of which work differently than others. Integrated airstairs live up to their namesake by being integrated directly into the airplane. They are permanent, nonremovable structures. Integrated airstairs can still be retracted, but they can’t be removed from the airplane.
There are also towable airstairs. Towable airstairs are one of the most common types. They are standalone stairs that are towed to the back of the airplane during boarding and disembarkment. Towable airstairs are typically used for smaller airplanes.
Why Airplanes Use Airstairs
Airstairs offer several advantages. They eliminate the need for boarding equipment, for instance. Some airplanes use a Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB). PBBs are tunnels that connect the interior of an airport to the interior of an airplane. Rather than using a PBB, some airplanes use airstairs. Integrated airstairs are built directly into airplanes so that they don’t require additional boarding equipment.
Accessibility is another reason airplanes use airstairs. Some passengers may have disabilities that make it difficult for them to board or disembark airplanes using a PBB. Airstairs offer a solution. They are typically larger and more open PBBs, allowing for increased accessibility.
Airplanes may deploy their airstairs in emergency situations. if there’s a fire near the front of an airplane, for instance, the airstairs may be used to provide passengers and crew with a safe alternative exit.
In Conclusion
Airstairs play an important role in the aviation industry. They provide a safe and efficient boarding and disembarkation of passengers. Some airplanes use integrated airstairs that are built directly into the back of the fuselage. Other airplanes use towable airstairs that are separate and detached. Both types of airstairs serve the same purpose of allowing passengers to quickly board and disembark from the back of the airplane.
