Jet Bridge “Jetway Passenger Boarding Bridges“ A Comprehensive Overview

Airports have evolved to become much better over the years; they are now much more efficient, even more comfortable, and safer for passengers. 

The jet bridge stands out as perhaps the most important innovation in modern aviation because it brings the passenger into an aircraft with no need to step outside. 

This technology has certainly made it a lot easier to travel by air, particularly for people traveling on bigger commercial jets. Within this article, we shall walk you through exactly what a jet bridge is, how it is used, and why it’s so important in travel.

What is a Jet Bridge?

A jet bridge is otherwise known as a jetway, airbridge, or boarding bridge. It is a moveable, enclosed passage that connects an airport terminal to the aircraft, thereby making it safe for passengers to board or exit the plane into weather-protected passages. 

The bridge comes straight out of the terminal building into the door of the airplane to make it easy for passengers to transfer from the terminal onto the aircraft.

One of the means by which commercial airports are also fitted is through the airport jet bridges. 

However, typically, airport bridges are used mainly for large jet airliners and international flights. For the small aircraft, passengers will still have to board from the tarmac using stairs.

How Does a Jet Bridge Work?

An airport Jetway is flexible enough in its construction so that it accommodates different types of aircraft. Different parts of the bridge are highlighted below:

• Adjustable Mechanism: The bridge is mounted on wheels or tracks, meaning that it can easily move either backward or forward. The mechanism also adjusts its height to bring it at the right angle with the door of the aircraft.
• Movable Tunnel: It covers the passage of passengers from the rain or snow. It is usually in the form of windows so that the passengers can see outside.
• Hydraulic/Electric Systems: The bridge, which moves, is usually made of electric or hydraulic systems. These allow airport authorities to position the jet bridges​ of an airport precisely for a smooth boarding or de-boarding.

Jet bridge Purpose

Jetway can help to systematize the process of boarding, which causes fewer delays and is much safer. They are most helpful where large numbers of passengers or huge aircraft need to be dealt with by the airports.

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Jet bridge operator

A jet bridge operator is a man who works in the airport and has the duty to move and control. The walkway connecting the airport building to the airplane is what the passenger boarding bridge is. 

He makes sure that this walkway is aligned with the airplane door so the people can safely board or get off the plane, and he checks whether the bridge is safely attached before people board or get off the plane.

Jetway vs. Jet Bridge

Jetway and jet bridge are two names for one thing. A jetway is another name for a bridge, the walkway connecting the airport to the aeroplane. 

“Jetway” was once a brand name, but today the two words both refer to the same thing. However, in airport industry, the more common used is passenger boarding bridge. 

Passenger Boarding Bridge

A Jetway is actually a passenger boarding bridge, though both terms are used to refer to a covered walkway extending from the airport terminal into or onto an aircraft. 

It allows passengers to walk onto or off the airplane from the terminal without having to step outside. This makes it prevent passengers from having to deal with bad weather such as raining or snowing when attempting to board or deboard, and it does so in an easier and safer manner.

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Jet Bridge Manufacturers

Manufacturers of passenger boarding bridge design and set up the bridges, which connect buildings at an airport to airplanes.

The most recognized manufacturers of passenger boarding bridge include JBT Aerotech and Thyssenkrupp. They ensure that the bridges are safe and reliable for use at busy airports.

Jet Bridge Airport

A airport refers to one that will let passengers board or leave the airplane with the use of a jet bridge. Most airports of size utilize because they make it safer as well as more comfortable for passengers.

Passengers walk through the covered bridge directly to the plane instead of walking outside on tarmac; such an arrangement also helps the airport run more smoothly and quickly.

Jet Bridge Collapse “Accidents and Incidents”

A Jetway collapse is a rare situation in which breaks or falls down. This could happen because of problems with the bridge itself or if there’s an accident while moving it. Although collapses are very rare, airports regularly check and maintain airport jet bridges​ to keep them safe and prevent accidents.

Kuwait Airways Boeing 777 Jet Bridge Collapse At Dhaka

A collapsed onto a Kuwait Airways Boeing 777-300ER at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) in Dhaka, doing heavy damage to the aircraft door and fuselage.

The accident happened at 2:30 am, about one hour following Kuwait Airways flight KU283 arrival. The collapse of the bridge occurred when passengers had departed the aircraft and only the flight crew were on board.

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Collapse of SFO Jet Bridge

In the year 2015, a Jetway of the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) collapsed when it was off-loading a Boeing 737.

The nose of the plane was lifted off the ground about 2 meters. Fortunately, the crew responded fast and there were no serious injuries. It was attributable to half-done work​.

Jet Bridge Collapse at BWI

At the Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), the jet bridge collapsed as passengers boarded a plane. Some people suffered minor injuries. The causes were because the bridges had not been properly checked and maintained​.

Atlanta Airport Jet Bridge Collapse

Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson Airport experienced collapsing that were attributed to mechanical or structural defects. These resulted in inconveniences but no one had major injuries​.

Baltimore Airport Jet Bridge Collapse

Another incident at Baltimore Airport happened when a passenger boarding bridge broke while passengers were leaving the plane. This accident caused minor injuries and showed the importance of maintaining airport equipment​.

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Dublin Jet Bridge Collapse

Dublin Airport’s collapsed due to a mechanical failure. No one was seriously hurt, but the incident showed the need for regular checks and repairs on airport bridges.

B738, Barcelona, Spain, 2015

On the evening of December 12, 2015, at around 2300 a Boeing 737-800 was deplaning passengers utilizing an air bridge on the port side of Barcelona Airport. The bridge suddenly malfunctioned, raising the leading edge of the plane’s nose up to a height of approximately 2 meters from the ground.

At the same time, the starboard door of the bridge collapsed opening allowing the nose of the aircraft to crash back onto the revetment. The cabin crew rushed to lend a hand, only two passengers suffered minor injuries. This research indicated that the accident occurred since the airport did not incorporate new risks while working on the air bridges.

B74S, Stockholm Arlanda, Sweden, 1996

On June 14, 1996, a Boeing 747SP, operated by Air China, landed at Stockholm Arlanda Airport from Beijing. Whilst parking at the gate in daylight, the plane hit the air bridge. Fortunately, no one on the plane was hurt, but the plane and the air bridge were severely damaged.

B74S, Stockholm Arlanda, Sweden, 2006

On 11 December 2006 another Boeing 747SP, operated by Syrian Air, was received from Damascus to Stockholm Arlanda. At night, while parked at the gate the aircraft hit the air bridge. No persons on board were hurt but aircraft and air bridge suffered damage.

If you want to learn more about Jet Bridge, please click the link to read further about it: crewdaily.com

Five Common Ways Passengers Can Get Hurt on a Jet Bridge

Passengers can get hurt in different ways. One serious accident happened on December 30, 2018, in Baltimore, Maryland, when six passengers were severely injured while getting off a Southwest Airlines flight.

Though accidents with lots of injuries don’t happen often, there are still common ways passengers can get hurt. Some occur because airport workers must correctly check or maintain. Here are five common ways passengers can be injured:

Falls in the Tunnel

Passengers can fall into the tunnel if parts of the bridge are not aligned correctly. It can also happen because of poor lighting, water, ice, debris, or when airline equipment is not put away correctly.

Overcrowding

Sometimes, too many people are on at once. Passengers waiting for their bags, strollers, or other people can crowd the space, causing someone to trip or fall.

Uneven or Misaligned Floor

The floor may not match the airplane door, creating a gap or uneven surface. This can happen if the passenger boarding bridge is not lined up correctly or the equipment used to adjust it must be fixed.

Too Steep Incline

Some airports are designed for bigger planes. When smaller planes use these, the bridge can be too steep, which is dangerous, especially for older passengers.

Missing Parts or Pieces

Sometimes, passenger boarding bridges need all the parts or pieces in place or to be set up correctly, which can make them unsafe for passengers.

Benefits of Passenger Boarding Bridge

Passenger Comfort and Safety

Jet bridges are the most convenient. Passengers no longer have to walk across tarmac, especially when the weather is very bad. Bridges keep travelers dry, calm, and safe while the outside is raining, snowing, or scorching.

Besides convenience, airport also enhance safety. The direct boarding or de-boarding to and from the terminal end remove the hazards of tarmac walking – the possibility of slipping on a wet area or stumbling into a vehicle moving on the tarmac.

Minimized Boarding Time

passenger boarding bridge can also facilitate the boarding process. Passengers are quickly escorted from the terminal straight to the aircraft with little wait times.

One outcome is that the airlines allow their flights to turn around much faster than they could before, further increasing their efficiency, so that schedules remain on schedule, even at peak travel times or when connecting flights are very tight.

Accessibility for Passengers with Reduced Mobility

These airport​ are very useful for travelers who lack the ability to walk or those with strollers. The aircraft would be accessed through a smooth and flat process to enable these passengers to board without having to climb stairs or traverse uneven surfaces. This surely lends accessibility to airports, making them traveler-friendly.

Protection against Weather Conditions

One of the major benefits of an airplane bridge​ is that it covers the passenger from inclement weather. Whether it be scorching sun, heavy rain, or snow, passengers are protected from wind as they board and alight the aircraft. This will have an impact on the experience of passengers mostly during airports known to receive unfavorable weather.

Types of Jet Bridges

Although all jet bridges perform the same primary purpose, they come in different designs and sizes based on the requirements of the airport alongside the size and requirements of airplanes to be served. Common bridges include: 

Standard

These types of jet bridges are the most commonly available. They have conventional flights and standard aircraft doors. Standard bridges are usually height-adjustable to accommodate most aircraft types.

Dual-Bridge

More elaborate airplanes, such as wide body jets, generally require double-bridge designs. This would be two bridges, of course, attached to the airplane-one at the front side of the airplane and one on the rear end.

Double-bridge jetways can accelerate the time it takes to board passengers by allowing passengers to board or leave at two points simultaneously.

Mobile passenger boarding bridge

Mobile Jetway do not have to be fixed on the terminal and can be moved as per the requirement of the airport at various gates.

They are especially required in the airports that have variable traffic, and there has to be flexibility in their gate usage. Mobile passenger boarding bridge are generally smaller and used for smaller aircraft or regional airports .

Remote Gate Jet Bridges

A few gates are installed as remote locations at high-traffic airports, hence not directly connected to the terminal. Here, a Jetway will be made available at a remote gate so that the passengers walk from the terminal to the bridge via certain pathways or shuttle buses.

Conclusion

Jet bridges will likely become even more critical in ensuring passenger comfort, efficiency, and safety as air travel evolves. With the increasing use of larger aircraft, airports are expected to expand and improve their jet bridge infrastructure. Technology advancements, such as automated systems for positioning and boarding, will likely make jet bridges more efficient, reducing wait times and making air travel even smoother for passengers.

FAQs

What is a jet bridge?

A Jetway is a ramp connecting the airplane to the airport building. It helps people board and deboard without having to venture out and also shields them against bad weather, such as rain or snow when boarding.

How heavy is a jet bridge?

A Jetway can weigh as much as 30,000 to 50,000 pounds (about 13,600 to 22,700 kilograms). Depending upon the design, larger ones may weigh more.

How to drive a jet bridge?

To position a jet bridge, one needs special controls. The driver should drive the bridge next to the airplane and make sure it aligns with the plane’s door. Proper training is necessary for operating the controls in the right safe way.

How to operate a jet bridge?

You would guide the Jetway with a control panel into place. It would have to be set alongside the airliner door so that it can permit easy boarding for passengers or disembarking without any damage. The bridge operator should see to it that the bridge is stable and level before it is used.

What is a jet bridge?

A jet bridge guides passengers into and out of the plane without having to walk outside on the runway. This provides direct access from the airplane to the airport terminal, ensuring that passengers avoid all harsh weather like rain, snow, or extreme cold. It also increases the speed at which passengers board a jet plane and helps reduce delays at airports.

How much does a jet bridge cost?

One basic jet bridge can cost between $1 million and $2 million. If it is designed with many levels or can fit bigger aircrafts, the cost may even go up that high. Operations also have to spend for maintaining the Jetway in good working condition, too.

Is it a jetway or jet bridge?

Jetway and jet bridge mean the same thing. Jetway is the brand name of jet bridges, but now it is a household word to describe these bridges. In aviation, however, we mainly use the term Jetway. The term jetway is mostly in use in informal conversation, especially amongst North Americans.

Why is there always HSBC on every jet bridge?

A large bank, for example, HSBC advertises on the jet bridges in airports. Airports would be a good location because many people pass by there and are likely to see their brand. Some of the people that walk by are typically business or international travelers, so the advertisement works to help HSBC reach the ideal target market.