Airline Habits at HKT - and air bridges

[backstairs]

Bangkok Air have just delivered me safely back to HKT after 3 domestic flights. All on time. No complaints. We deplaned and got in a bus in the rain. I looked at the sea. It was just over the fence. The aircraft was parked in the bleak new area. Planes were taxying so we had to wait some time; jet blast I suppose. When we got off the bus there was little walking. But the purpose of this entry is to ask this: do certain airlines love using the buses? Do you like this? Does it save money? Or are they thinking it is less walking that we like? In CNX we were at a bridge. But in good old HKT one cries 'take me to the bridge.' And they bring a bus. There were several airbridges free. What is going on?

[Old Croc]

They bus passengers to the terminal from aircraft parking areas because there are not enough air bridges available for scheduled flights. Phuket International is a very busy airport compared to some other regional places.

Bridges that may be empty when your flight arrives are probably booked and held for other incoming flights. Some bigger airlines are prepared to pay extra fees for use of these facilities.

Airports are businesses, and charge for services. A small, cheap airline like Bangkok Air probably tries to save money by not booking bridges. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

[schlog]

Many delays yesterday at hkt because of the weather conditions. Came back from kul also with delay. This may cause the bus trip for you.

I can't remeber the last time when i had to use the bus at hkt...maybe 10 years ago. Normally bangkok airways use the bridges.

[backstairs]

The airlines that were using air bridges yesterday were Nok and AirAsia. Cheaper than BKK Air.

[robertthebruce]

I find it annoying....

[schlog]

I find it annoying....

With weather conditions like yesterday it is sure annoying.

But remember the good old days, we had to walk, no bus service and it was great to arrive back home on hkt.

Edited August 4, 2015 by schlog

[hansgruber]

They keep the buses for cushy contracts. Look at suvananbumi airport. Many air bridges but you still get into a bus.

[chercheur888]

If you compare the bus at HKT with the bus in Dubai, you are much better off. If you take Emirates to Dubai, the plane an old A 340, stops in what must be the last corner at Dubai airport, and it takes about 20 minutes by bus to get to the terminal. Oh yes, the buses have no AC and no magic carpet ride at Dubai airport.

[DrDave]

It happens quite a bit at Suvarnabhumi.

Nothing like deplaning and cramming into one of those cramped buses after a long international flight. Standing in the bus, packed like sardines with everyone else, their carry-ons and backpacks on what seems like an endless ride to the terminal. Then, the mad dash to see who can get out of the bus first.

At the old airport in Seoul, it was the norm to use the buses. It seemed like they had just a handful of gates/airbridges for such a busy international hub. There would be dozens of jumbo jets parked on the tarmac far away from the terminal at any given time and all were loaded/unloaded using buses. Thankfully, they built a new airport some years ago.

[arunsakda]

CNX-BKK is the real mind scrambler. When a plane is to be used on International next flight they often park on a jetway, but you still have to walk/wait down stairs in the heat to be bussed to arrivals. Actually better sometimes as it is a shorter walk.