《知識》搭飛機時,為什麼乘客都是從左側登機?Why do passengers board airplanes from the left side?


搭飛機時,無論飛機的機型、使用空橋或是樓梯車,乘客都是從飛機的左側登機。為什麼不是從右側登機呢?原因有以下幾點:

1. 延續早期航海作業的操作習慣
過去,水手們使用舵槳來控制船隻方向。由於大多數人都是右撇子,所以舵槳安裝在船的右側。靠岸時為了不會被右側舵槳阻礙,因此都是由左側靠近碼頭。其後飛機登機也延續了此操作習慣。

2. 讓機長更容易判斷停靠間隙
由於機長的座位是在駕駛艙的左側,當飛機滑向登機口,更容易判斷飛機與航廈之間的間隙。

3. 增加地勤作業效率
讓乘客都在左側登機有個好處,就是右側可以同時作業,裝卸行李、貨物和飛機餐點等。分兩邊作業更有效率也更安全,畢竟當車輛和其它設備移動時,乘客在同一側登機較危險。

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Why do passengers board airplanes from the left side?

When boarding an airplane, regardless of the aircraft type or whether using a jet bridge or stairs, passengers always board from the left side of the aircraft. Why not from the right side? There are several reasons for this:

1. Continuation of early maritime operating practices
In the past, sailors used rudders to control the direction of their ships. Since most people are right-handed, the rudder was installed on the right side of the ship. To avoid obstruction by the right-side rudder when docking, ships would always approach the dock from the left side. This operating practice was later adopted for airplane boarding.

2. Makes it easier for the pilot to judge the docking gap
Since the pilot's seat is on the left side of the cockpit, it is easier for the captain to judge the gap between the aircraft and the terminal when the aircraft slides towards the boarding gate.

3. Increases ground handling efficiency
One advantage of having passengers board from the left side is that the right side can be used for other activities at the same time, such as loading and unloading luggage, cargo, and airplane meals. Splitting the tasks between the two sides is more efficient and safer, as it is more dangerous for passengers to board on the same side when vehicles and other equipment are moving.