ISO 7718-2:2016

Overview

ISO 7718-2:2016 specifies minimum dimensional and unobstructed-space requirements around upper-deck passenger doors of future civil transport aircraft intended to interface with passenger boarding bridges (PBBs) or passenger transfer vehicles. It clarifies the door and fuselage characteristics that support safe, economical connection with airport boarding bridges while avoiding restrictions on aircraft basic design. The standard applies to future aircraft designs and is not intended for existing models or derivatives (entry into service up to year 2000), which are expected to follow ISO 16004.

Key topics and requirements

• Unobstructed interface zone: The standard defines a hatched area around the upper-deck door opening (see Figure 1) that shall be kept free of external features such as aerials, drains, pitot heads, static ports, sensors, probes, aerodynamic strakes, access panels, etc.
• Allowable protrusions: Small protrusions to divert rainwater are allowed only if they are not part of the aircraft’s structural or aerodynamic integrity and do not interfere with PBB canopy deployment.
• Minimum fuselage radius: The cross‑section radius of the fuselage in the interface area should not be less than 1.6 m (63 in).
• Door sill height: The passenger door sill height above ground during normal airport servicing should not exceed 8.4 m (330 in).
• Interface dimensions (Figure 1 examples): The standard provides example bridge‑opening and clearance dimensions (for reference in aircraft and PBB design), for example:
  • a (max) = 2 100 mm (82.7 in)
  • b (max) = 2 850 mm (112.2 in)
  • c (min) = 4 800 mm (189.0 in)
  • d (min) = 300 mm (11.8 in)
  • e (note) = 2 700 mm (106.3 in)
• Main-deck compatibility: Where a single boarding bridge serves both main and upper deck doors, ISO 7718-1 and ISO 16004 requirements must be considered alongside ISO 7718-2.

Practical applications and users

• Aircraft design engineers: Use ISO 7718-2 during preliminary and detail design to ensure upper-deck door geometry facilitates PBB connection and minimizes retrofit or operational penalties.
• Airport planners and ground‑handling organizations: Reference the standard when specifying or upgrading passenger boarding bridges and passenger transfer vehicles to ensure compatibility with future aircraft.
• Manufacturers of boarding bridges and interface equipment: Apply the dimensional and clearance criteria to design PBB cabins, canopies and interface adapters that safely connect to upper-deck doors.
• Airline operations and ground handlers: Understand implications for turnaround procedures, ramp compatibility and potential need for alternative embarkation methods or specialized interface devices.

Related standards

• ISO 7718-1 - Part 1: Main deck doors (main‑deck boarding interface)
• ISO 16004 - Passenger boarding bridge / transfer vehicle interface requirements (legacy compatibility)

ISO 7718-2 helps reduce aircraft-handling constraints and operating costs by promoting standardized upper-deck door geometries and unobstructed interface zones for worldwide passenger boarding bridge compatibility.