Bus to the plane?!
Oct 27, 2014 | 10:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
Bus to the plane?!
On the bus now waiting for a ride to my flight to MXP. First time since LY left te old terminal that I can remember using a bus gate instead of a jet bridge on LY. I might expect it for the LCCs or even UP but not here. Is this in fact a rare occurrence or did I just get lucky in the past? (Took this same flight a month ago and there was a jet bridge).
Oct 28, 2014 | 11:46 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: UA, LY
Posts: 13,179
It's based on the constraints of the airports. With delays and inability to use other gates, in order to prevent further delays, they use bus gates for mainline planes, regardless of legacy carrier/LCC status
Oct 28, 2014 | 12:59 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: DL Diamond; LY Plat; BA Bronze
Posts: 2,462
It could also be that the plane was parked in a remote location for a reason (it just went through maintenance, had a long layover, etc) and LY didn't the expenses of tolling it to a jetway.
I have had bus rides of more than 10 minutes in TLV airport already. Not a very common occurrence, but it does happen to all airlines.
I have had bus rides of more than 10 minutes in TLV airport already. Not a very common occurrence, but it does happen to all airlines.
Oct 28, 2014 | 1:02 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: UA, LY
Posts: 13,179
It could also be that the plane was parked in a remote location for a reason (it just went through maintenance, had a long layover, etc) and LY didn't the expenses of tolling it to a jetway.
I have has bus rides of more than 10 minutes in TLV airport already. Not a very common occurrence, but it does happen to all airlines.
I have has bus rides of more than 10 minutes in TLV airport already. Not a very common occurrence, but it does happen to all airlines.
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Oct 29, 2014 | 7:13 am
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Location: tlv
Programs: AA Platinum, LY Matmid
Posts: 804
On my last 4 trips on Alitalia we were bussed both going and coming back.
I am flying with them tommorrow and fully expect the bus again.
I don't think that it is an operational issue but rather a question of money and possibly contributing to their lower cost structure.
By the way, the same thing happens in Rome. Busses all over the place.
I am flying with them tommorrow and fully expect the bus again.
I don't think that it is an operational issue but rather a question of money and possibly contributing to their lower cost structure.
By the way, the same thing happens in Rome. Busses all over the place.
Oct 29, 2014 | 7:32 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: UA, LY
Posts: 13,179
On my last 4 trips on Alitalia we were bussed both going and coming back.
I am flying with them tommorrow and fully expect the bus again.
I don't think that it is an operational issue but rather a question of money and possibly contributing to their lower cost structure.
By the way, the same thing happens in Rome. Busses all over the place.
I am flying with them tommorrow and fully expect the bus again.
I don't think that it is an operational issue but rather a question of money and possibly contributing to their lower cost structure.
By the way, the same thing happens in Rome. Busses all over the place.
Nov 7, 2014 | 3:14 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
Just landed on an overnight from MXP and again got the bus. MXP is getting the "up" treatment with fares that are 4x the UP fares. At least if they made MXP an "up" destination, I'd get the crappy bus with lower fares!
Nov 7, 2014 | 2:19 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,187
On the bus now waiting for a ride to my flight to MXP. First time since LY left te old terminal that I can remember using a bus gate instead of a jet bridge on LY. I might expect it for the LCCs or even UP but not here. Is this in fact a rare occurrence or did I just get lucky in the past? (Took this same flight a month ago and there was a jet bridge).
Nov 8, 2014 | 12:12 am
#11
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,801
An interesting angle. But when I get off the aircraft, especially in TLV, I want to be out as soon as I can. That's one benefit of flying business class or paying extra for first rows. This benefit washes out when a bus gate is used.
Shuly
Shuly