Are integrated stairs on the Boeing 737 safe?

Investigations have recorded hundreds of injuries related to retractable stairs since 2021, with analyses showing that fixed stairs are more prone to incidents than the mobile options at many gates. The version installed on some 737s is narrow and steep—about 61 cm wide, roughly 35 degrees, with steps around 20 cm high—and a tricky first step that can be hard to grip. This combination increases the risk for older travelers, families with children, and passengers with luggage, especially in Mallorca’s busy boarding scenes. In Mallorca, such scenes on the tarmac during boarding are a real concern rather than a rare anomaly.