LONDON— Passengers flying with British Airways (BA) report being stopped from using fixed staircases at Terminal 5 and directed instead to escalators, after the airline introduced a health and safety restriction at its main hub.
The measure comes after several incidents of travelers with hand luggage falling on stairs while hurrying to board. The policy, however, has raised eyebrows among frequent flyers, who point out that BA regularly uses mobile airstairs at remote stands across London Heathrow (LHR).
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrBritish Airways Bans Stairs at Heathrow
The restriction applies specifically to gate areas at Terminal 5 where passengers descend one level to reach the airbridge. According to accounts shared on FlyerTalk, staff have been instructed to block access to fixed staircases and guide passengers to escalators instead.
The reasoning appears tied to boarding behavior rather than the staircases themselves. With British Airways allowing one of the most generous cabin baggage policies among European carriers, passengers often rush to board early to secure overhead bin space.
Reports suggest some travelers were running down the stairs to get ahead, leading to falls and near misses.
Commentators note the irony: at remote stands, where buses deliver passengers to aircraft, the use of mobile airstairs is unavoidable. That makes the restriction inside the terminal feel inconsistent. Critics describe the move as less about structural safety and more about managing crowd behavior during boarding, PYOK reported.
Photo: Frank Kovalchek | FlickrPassenger Reactions
The policy first came to light when a passenger shared their experience of being blocked from using the stairs at a Heathrow gate.
They expressed surprise that 20 years after Terminal 5 opened, such a restriction suddenly appeared. Others on the forum quickly confirmed similar encounters over the past few days.
Many called the move excessive, pointing out that the same passengers are free to use other staircases elsewhere in the terminal, including those leading to the baggage hall. Frequent flyers argued that the problem lies with how boarding is managed rather than with the stairs themselves.
One commentator summed it up bluntly, calling the restriction a way to curb “the stampede of passengers racing down the fixed staircase to queue-jump.”
Photo: STV NewsThe Bigger Picture: Stair-Related Accidents
Statistics from the UK Office for National Statistics highlight the wider risk of stair-related falls. In 2023, 1,035 people died after falling on stairs, compared to 851 in 2022 and 748 in 2019.
While deaths dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, the figures in recent years show a worrying rise.
Though these numbers cover all public and private spaces, they provide context for why airlines and airports might want to minimize risks in crowded environments like boarding gates.
Even so, the debate continues over whether banning stair access in a single area meaningfully improves safety.
Legal and Compensation Considerations
Under the Montreal Convention, passengers can claim compensation for injuries sustained during boarding or deplaning. Courts have consistently interpreted these processes as part of the “international carriage” covered by the treaty.
However, airlines are not liable if they can demonstrate that an accident was caused by a passenger’s own negligence, or by the actions of another customer. In cases where a fall occurs due to rushing or disregarding staff instructions, compensation claims would likely fail.
Photo- British AirwaysBalancing Safety and Passenger Experience
For now, British Airways appears to be erring on the side of caution by funneling passengers onto escalators during boarding at certain gates. Whether this becomes a permanent policy or a temporary measure remains unclear.
The debate among travelers reflects a broader challenge: balancing safety requirements with practical passenger flow.
While no one disputes the importance of preventing injuries, many argue the solution should focus on managing boarding queues rather than physically restricting access to stairs that remain in full use elsewhere in the terminal.
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