Airstairs – Definition & Meaning

Airstairs are a type of aircraft equipment that allows passengers to board and disembark from an aircraft without the need for a separate boarding bridge or mobile stairs. These stairs are typically built into the aircraft and can be extended or retracted as needed.

Definitions

Airstairs are defined as a set of stairs that are built into an aircraft and can be extended or retracted as needed to allow passengers to board or disembark from the aircraft. They are also known as air stairs, aircraft stairs, or passenger stairs.

Origin

The concept of airstairs dates back to the early days of aviation, when aircraft were much smaller and simpler than they are today. In those days, passengers would often board and disembark from aircraft using simple ladders or makeshift steps. However, as aircraft grew larger and more complex, the need for a more sophisticated boarding system became apparent.

Meaning in different dictionaries

The meaning of airstairs is consistent across different dictionaries. The Oxford English Dictionary defines airstairs as “a set of stairs built into an aircraft that can be extended or retracted as needed to allow passengers to board or disembark from the aircraft.” Merriam-Webster defines airstairs as “a set of stairs that can be extended from an aircraft to allow passengers to board or disembark.”

Associations

Airstairs are commonly associated with commercial airliners, although they can also be found on smaller aircraft such as private jets and regional airliners. They are typically used at airports where there is no jet bridge or mobile stairs available.

Synonyms

Airstairs are also known as air stairs, aircraft stairs, or passenger stairs. Other synonyms include boarding stairs, embarking stairs, and disembarking stairs.

Antonyms

There are no direct antonyms for airstairs, as they are a specific type of equipment used in aviation. However, other methods of boarding and disembarking from aircraft include mobile stairs, jet bridges, and ground-level boarding.

The same root words

Airstairs does not have any direct root words, as it is a compound word made up of “air” and “stairs.” However, the word “aircraft” is related to airstairs, as they are both related to aviation.

Example Sentences

1. The passengers boarded the aircraft using the airstairs.
2. The airline had to use passenger stairs to board the aircraft, as the airport did not have a jet bridge available.
3. The pilot extended the airstairs to allow the passengers to disembark from the aircraft.
4. The aircraft was too small to accommodate a jet bridge, so the passengers had to use the air stairs to board and disembark.
5. The airline invested in new aircraft with built-in airstairs to improve the boarding experience for passengers.