Ryanair Boeing 737 Stairs Linked to Higher Risk of Falls: Study
Ryanair's Boeing 737 aircraft have been linked to a higher risk of falls during boarding and disembarkation, according to a study by Italy's National Agency for Flight Safety (ANSV). The study analyzed incidents between 2023 and 2025 and found that 85 out of 104 reported falls involved passengers using the forward integrated stairs on Boeing 737 aircraft.
Over the same period, Ryanair carried around 27% of all passengers in Italy. Other carriers recorded a total of 19 falls during boarding and disembarkation. Since 2021, Ryanair has registered 489 falls on stairs, with 73% occurring on the Boeing 737's integrated stairway.
The ANSV investigation found that the dimensions of the integrated stairway are at the limits for step height and steepness compared to those used by airport operators. The first step is also asymmetrical due to the shape of the fuselage in relation to the step.
Ryanair updated its disembarkation protocol after three incidents in Italy, including one in which a passenger suffered serious injuries while carrying two suitcases. The airline now repeats a warning to use the handrail in multiple languages before passengers disembark.