Originally Posted by
Boofer
This.
In nearly every major airport around the world, they make good use of remote stands. During the busiest times, aircraft can park and disembark pax using shuttle buses. This works for domestic and for international arrivals, and it's a smooth and logical solution to the ups and downs of gate demand through the day - it's surge capacity.
But if these US hub airports we're talking about used remote stands like this, then we would hear endless whinging about "why can't XXX airport use more regular gates with jet bridges. I don't want to have to ride a bus."
The reason why remote stands are used at some international airports is that they have a LOT of empty tarmac where they can park aircraft remotely. That is not the case in most major US airports that have overcrowding. Almost every square inch of airport property is being used at almost all major US airports. Take an overlay of remote parking at an international airport and then try to find that much unused concrete at EWR, ORD, LAX, SFO.