Apropos of nothing very relevant , had a very unusual (to me) experience flying LGW to OPO in December (on TP, not BA) when upon landing and taxiing to a remote stand we were then bussed to the terminal, past several ground floor arrival doors and back out onto the apron to stop alongside an airbridge, whereupon we then had to traipse up the stairs and along the bridge corridor to enter the airport.

On reflection this is almost certainly because of Schengen/Non-Schengen arrival requirements and only certain gates being suitable but given that the airbridge was clearly vacant why couldn't the arriving aircraft park up there and connect the bridge to L1 in the first place, thus saving everyone the extra hassle, particularly those who struggle with stairs (while clutching rollabord suitcases!)?

Bizarre.