Boeing 747s can now have stairs to the cargo hold for crew during flight

The US aviation regulator is proposing new safety rules for Boeing 747-8 airplanes that want to install stairs between the main deck and the lower cargo hold. This means flight crews can access these compartments during a flight, which was not previously allowed under existing safety standards.

For decades, the lower cargo holds of passenger planes were off-limits to crew during flight, mainly used for baggage and freight. This change means airlines can now use this space for crew rest areas or storage of service items, potentially freeing up space on the main deck. It also sets a precedent for how regulators will assess novel design features that fall outside existing rules.