jetbridge

A jet bridge, also known as an airbridge or passenger boarding bridge, is a movable, enclosed walkway used at airports to connect the terminal gate with an aircraft. It allows passengers to board and alight directly from the terminal to the aircraft door, protecting them from weather and enabling climate control during boarding.

A typical jet bridge consists of a telescoping, articulated tunnel mounted on a wheeled or hydraulically supported platform. It can extend, rotate, and adjust its height and alignment to match various aircraft door locations and door heights. The walkway is enclosed and climate-controlled, and the bridge docks to the aircraft door to form a continuous passage. When not in use, the bridge can be retracted or moved away from the aircraft.

Jet bridges come in several configurations. Fixed bridges are permanently attached to a gate and serve a fixed stand. Portable or semi-fixed bridges can be moved between stands or gates. Some facilities use multi-connection bridges or multiple bridges at a single gate to accommodate different aircraft types, including narrow-body and wide-body jets.

History and adoption: jet bridges emerged in the mid-20th century to replace exterior stairs and ramps, improving safety, efficiency, and passenger comfort. Today they are a standard feature at most commercial airports and are integrated with terminal operations, security, and ground handling procedures.

Safety and maintenance: jet bridges employ emergency stop controls, sensing and safety interlocks, and regular inspections of hydraulics, structural integrity, and alignment systems to ensure safe docking with aircraft doors.

See also: airbridge, airport gate, terminal, passenger boarding.