Rate an airport's aerobridge times

[SeatBackForward]

So heres one to cause the next debate. Any airports that seem to be better or worse at getting the Aerobridge ready?

SYD is home and always happy to return, but it seems to always take forever to connect the Aerobridge and start unloading everyone. And my unscientific view is that International seems much worse than domestic.

I've always thought Hong Kong was very good at this.

 

[Warragul]

A couple of variables come to mind -

• type of aerobridge - the one with wheels that has to be 'driven' into position and the older type that essential go in and out and a bit of tilt ala Qantas Melbourne domestic.
• the experience of the operator moving the aerobridge.
• International flights can have a gaggle of people at the door opening with questions and what not for the crew prior to disembarking.

 

[jb747]

Assuming that there's someone there to drive the bridge....

I once had 767 damaged by the bridge in Bangkok, so you don't want them to be in too much of a hurry.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I once had 767 damaged by the bridge in Bangkok

Now there's a relevant pun.

 

[AuSammy]

Assuming that there's someone there to drive the bridge....

I once had 767 damaged by the bridge in Bangkok, so you don't want them to be in too much of a hurry.

And someone competent, BNE in last 12-18 months comes to mind

 

[Warks]

On a VA flight if the people at the back are getting off first.

 

[kookaburra75]

For a while at Sydney, Qantas had the Dash 8s pulling up at Gates 8,9,10. To get on and off, after the airbridge was lowered down and lined up opposite the open door, they then had to manhandle a gangplank of sorts to connect the Dash8 door to the end of the airbridge. That always seemed to take 2-3 goes to get it right. The whole plane could have disembarked and walked up the stairs in the time that that took.
Mind you, while I'm ok with Gate 16-19 for the Dash8s now, Gate 1C and the buses sucks big time.

 

[Daver6]

PER QF always seem to be incredibly slow. I suppose WA does mean wait awhile....

 

[Mattg]

I'm surprised airports haven't got AI to drive the jetbridges yet.

 

[Forg]

The ones they use for Dash-8's at regional airports seem to be the fastest!

Having said that, landing at Tamworth 12yrs ago in a Dash-8 they wheeled a ramp up to the door rather than using the inbuilt staircase, IIRC the front door opened barely seconds after the engines were cut. Being used to 737/A32x & wide-body passenger volumes (including one unloading of an EK A380 in AKL using wheely-stairs at only one front door), getting off that plane was amazingly fast!

 

[kookaburra75]

The ones they use for Dash-8's at regional airports seem to be the fastest!

Having said that, landing at Tamworth 12yrs ago in a Dash-8 they wheeled a ramp up to the door rather than using the inbuilt staircase, IIRC the front door opened barely seconds after the engines were cut. Being used to 737/A32x & wide-body passenger volumes (including one unloading of an EK A380 in AKL using wheely-stairs at only one front door), getting off that plane was amazingly fast!

The ramps are standard at Canberra, which makes it easier to stroll up to the door to get on, and back down again after arrival.

 

[LCC]

A couple of years ago we landed at Munich, pulled up to the gate and patiently waited and waited and waited, after about 15 minutes or so the captain announced that there was a problem with the aerobridge connecting to the aircraft door. A few minutes later the captain announces they are going to have to move the plane to see if this can resolve the issue. After an interminable time they finally managed to get the aerobridge connected and the door opened much to the relief of all.

 

[offshore171]

And my unscientific view is that International seems much worse than domestic.

International has to handle everything up to an A380 with multiple gangways. from multiple doors. So an added layer of complexity.

It is what it is. In the context of a 14 hour flight, a few minutes to get everything ready for safe passenger egress isn't a biggie in my view.

But yes I suspect it likely annoys those dudes who stand up and start retrieving oversized carryons while the plane is still taxiing.