An overhead area access staircase stowage system (7) includes a servicing unit (10) having a stowage unit and a staircase (12) proximate to the stowage unit. The staircase (12) has a stowed state (18) and a deployed state (20). The staircase (12) includes multiple stair elements (40) and a state actuating system (60). The state actuating system (60) transitions the stair elements (40) between the stowed state (18) and the deployed state (20).