Jet bridge introduction date
Apr 26, 2019 | 3:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Offshore Island
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 369
Jet bridge introduction date
With all your vast knowledge, can anyone tell me when jet bridges were first introduced and where ? I remember flying BA from Melbourne to LHR via HK in 1975 and again in 1978 but can't for the life of me recall if they were in use at any of these three airports.
Apr 26, 2019 | 3:57 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,422
Definitely well before the 70s, Chicago O'Hare around 1960 I think for the first one of a similar style to those used today.
Apr 26, 2019 | 4:03 am
#3
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Newcastle/London & Worldwide
Programs: BAEC Gold, Virgin Flying Club Silver
Posts: 850
NCL Airport introduced them early 2000s I think - around 40 years after the rest of the world 
Still no better feeling than boarding via steps on any aircraft I think.
Still no better feeling than boarding via steps on any aircraft I think.
Apr 26, 2019 | 6:07 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: BAEC - Lowly blue
Posts: 292
I love boarding via steps! Especially in the Caribbean where walking down the steps from a 777 you really get a feel for how giant those aircraft are. (+ the 30+ heat hitting you!)
Apr 26, 2019 | 7:40 am
#9
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 219
The air bridge dilutes the impact somewhat.
Apr 26, 2019 | 8:10 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona
Programs: BA (GGL G4L), AA (Gold), HH (Diamond); Marriott (Gold)
Posts: 3,018
I remember in 1981 leaving RNO for HNL when I was rather young. On the outbound we used stairs and on the return a week or two later the airport had just finished their expansion (which is pretty much unchanged from today!) and had opened their jet bridges. RNO is certainly not an innovator in any regard, so 1958 doesn't surprise me!
Apr 26, 2019 | 10:26 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Mass
Programs: Independent
Posts: 4,863
I believe that was the first, though I guess there may have been a few other attempts at it. Certainly the World Port was using a bbidge (not covered, but a a boarding bridge) by 1960. TWA's T5 had enclosed jetways, and that opened in 1962. They would certainly have been around back then. Whether they were in use by those airlines at those airports, though, I cannot say.
