Ryanair Boeing 737 Stairs Under Fire After Study Reveals High Fall Rate

A recent study by Italy's National Agency for Flight Safety (ANSV) has revealed that Ryanair's Boeing 737 aircraft have been involved in a significant number of falls during boarding and disembarkation. The study, published in August 2026, analyzed incidents reported between 2023 and 2025.

Of the 104 incidents studied, 85 involved passengers who used the forward integrated stairs on Ryanair's Boeing 737 aircraft, accounting for 82% of cases. This is a stark contrast to other carriers, which saw only 19 falls over the same period.

The study found that the dimensions of the integrated stairway, with its 12 steps and 35-degree inclination, are at the limits compared to those used by airport operators. The first step of the stairway is also asymmetrical for passengers on the way down due to the shape of the fuselage.

ANSV's investigation concluded that human factors such as inattention and failure to use the handrail were responsible for the falls, rather than any defect in the system itself.