Jetbridge Failure

[possel]

A few weeks ago I returned to LHR form Stockholm on an SAS A320. On arrival they could not get the jetbridge to the front LH door, despite much effort. Eventually they brought some steps and we were allowed to get out of the front RH door and walk 20 yards on the apron to the terminal, getting inside some 75 minutes later than we should have.

The question is whether it really is SAS who are responsible as opposed to any ground contractor at LHR? The entire place seemed totally indifferent to the plight of the passengers on a full aircraft. for such a time!

[Musket90]

In the case of SAS it'd likely be the ground handler operating the jet bridge and providing the steps. If the jetbridge had a fault then it should be reported to Heathrow Airport Ltd who are responsible for rectifying it.

Sometimes if an aircraft stops at the wrong position the jetbridge cannot dock as it may be beyond it's operating limits although I would think your parking stand would be provided with advanced visual docking guidance system called Safedock which gives the pilot the correct stop position provided it's switched on in advance by the ground handler and shows the correct aircraft type about to park..

Seems odd that you disembarked from the RH door which suggests either the LH door was unserviceable or the jetbridge was in the way preventing a safe opening of the door.and safe disembarkation of passengers on that side.

If the ground handler expects the aircraft to use a jetbridge but then at short notice steps are required this can take some time to organise if the handlers are busy doing other flights and the steps are not quickly accessable.. Also if the steps are usually positioned on the LH door then positioning them for the RH door may not be as straightforward for the operator.

[DaveReidUK]

Seems odd that you disembarked from the RH door which suggests either the LH door was unserviceable or the jetbridge was in the way preventing a safe opening of the door and safe disembarkation of passengers on that side.

If only they had designed the A320 with doors at the back as well ...

[Musket90]

I thought they did Dave, but maybe I'm mistaken

[Asturias56]

It happens very occasionally - and then they have to find someone to come and fix it - which can take some time in an airport the size of LHR - there's probably only a couple of engineers available. At least they got you off the aircraft even if it did mean a walk

[B2N2]

In short:

The airport owns the jet-bridge
The airline pays for its use as well as for the gate
Ground personnel, generally employed by a contractor, operate the jet bridge. Even if they wear the airline uniform they may still be a contractor.
Multiple uses can (will?) be charged extra. Connecting again for a late pax will come at a cost. As well as electrical or air hookup.
Nothing is free in aviation, not even air.

[farci]

If only they had designed the A320 with doors at the back as well ...
If this seat map is accurate - they did
Seat Guru (https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/SAS_Airlines/SAS_Airlines_Airbus_A320neo.php#:~:text=Note%3A%20There%20ar e%202%20versions%20of%20this%20aircraft.&text=The%20SAS%20A320neo%20seats%20174,aircraft%20operates%2 0flights%20within%20Europe.)

[DaveReidUK]

If this seat map is accurate - they did
Seat Guru (https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/SAS_Airlines/SAS_Airlines_Airbus_A320neo.php#:~:text=Note%3A%20There%20ar e%202%20versions%20of%20this%20aircraft.&text=The%20SAS%20A320neo%20seats%20174,aircraft%20operates%2 0flights%20within%20Europe.)

Gosh, who knew ?