Why does AF bus passengers to the plane at CDG
Oct 13, 2017, 12:48 pm
#1
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Why does AF bus passengers to the plane at CDG
Flew AF 144 from CDG to ORD yesterday. This was my first flight from CDG in over 15 years. I was surprised that we had to take a long bus ride from gate K48 to our A330 parked on the other side of the AF terminals.
Why do they do this? I didn't bother to look to see if K48 had a jetway, but I assumed it did.
Why do they do this? I didn't bother to look to see if K48 had a jetway, but I assumed it did.
Oct 13, 2017, 2:45 pm
#2
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Oct 16, 2017, 2:28 pm
#3
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For the exact same reasons that you get bus gates with BA at LHR, with LH at FRA, with LX at ZRH, with QR at DOH, etc.
One key reason, as Goldorak mentions is the lack of available gates at some peak times. Another (though unlikely with a 330) is because some rotations arrive from a Schengen flight to leave for a non-Schengen destination or the other way round. In such cases, it makes most sense to bus either departure or arrival pax rather than moving the plane across terminals.
A third reason is very occasionally, if there has been a security alert on a given flight even considered non-credible (which passengers may never hear about), the plane will always be parked at a remote gate for safety reasons.
One key reason, as Goldorak mentions is the lack of available gates at some peak times. Another (though unlikely with a 330) is because some rotations arrive from a Schengen flight to leave for a non-Schengen destination or the other way round. In such cases, it makes most sense to bus either departure or arrival pax rather than moving the plane across terminals.
A third reason is very occasionally, if there has been a security alert on a given flight even considered non-credible (which passengers may never hear about), the plane will always be parked at a remote gate for safety reasons.
Oct 16, 2017, 3:06 pm
#4
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For long haul, there are about 8 remote bus positions at what is called “aire hotel” (where the temporary 2E gates were when Concourse K collapsed after it’s construction back 12-13 years ago). Normally no A380 there.