Italy's National Agency for Flight Safety (ANSV) has connected Ryanair's Boeing 737 retractable airstairs to 360 passenger falls since 2021. The agency's findings suggest these onboard steps are roughly three times more hazardous than stairs operated by airports.
The 360 falls linked to Boeing 737 retractable steps
A recent study released in August by Italy's National Agency for Flight Safety (ANSV) has highlighted a significant safety gap in how passengers exit Ryanair aircraft. According to the ANSV report, there were 489 total fall incidents involving boarding stairs since 2021. Of those cases, 360—or approximately 73 percent—occurred specifically on the retractable steps built into the Boeing 737 fleet.
The data suggests a stark contrast between different boarding methods. Investigators found that falls from these onboard airstairs were about three times more frequent than those recorded on the standard staircases provided by airports for other airline operators. This disparity points to a systemic issue with the aircraft's specific hardware rather than random passenger error alone.
How a 35-degree incline creates a three-fold risk
The ANSV report detailed the physical dimensions of the Ryanair onboard staircase, which consists of 12 steps. Each step measures roughly 61 centimeters in width and 20 centimeters in height, with a tread width of about 25 centimeters. These stairs are inclined at an angle of approximately 35 degrees and are operated electrically from either the interior or exterior of the Boeing 737.
When compared to typical airport-operated boarding stairs, the Ryanair configuration is narrower and steeper. The ANSV investigators noted that the dimensions of the Ryanair stairs sit at the absolute limits of acceptable step height and slope. this makes the descent less comfortable and more precarious than airport alternatives, which generally offer lower steps, a gentler incline, and larger landing areas.
The efficiency model behind the 61-centimeter width
The use of onboard retractable stairs is a hallmark of the low-cost carrier model employed by Ryanair. By utilizing their own airstairs, Ryanair can avoid paying airport fees for ground-based equipment and accelerate the turnaround time between flights. This operational leaness is a key driver in keeping ticket prices low for millions of travelers across Europe.
However,this drive for efficiency appears to clash with passenger ergonomics. While the ANSV attributed many falls to human factors—such as passengers failing to use handrails or being in poor physical condition—the report emphasizes that the steep 35-degree design exacerbates these risks. The physical constraints of the Boeing 737's stairs essentially leave less room for passenger error during disembarkation.
Ryanair's silence on the ANSV safety recommendations
The ANSV has issued specific recommendations to mitigate these risks, urging Ryanair cabin crew to exert more control over passengers during boarding and exiting. Specifically,the agency suggests that crew members must ensure travelers keep one hand free to grip the handrail at all times to prevent falls.
Despite these findings, the airline's position remains unclear. as reported by the Daily Mail, Ryanair was contacted for comment on the study's results but has not yet provided a response. This leaves several questions unanswered: will Ryanair consider modifying the stair design, or will they rely soollely on crew instructions to manage a hardware-based hazard? Furthermore, it remains unknown if similar safety audits have been conducted on other low-cost carriers using similar retractable systems.
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