No, it can actually be hellishly quick – using an airbridge, you are moving the entire pax load through a SINGLE door. Last year, with a very switched on Servisair despatcher, we managed to turn round a wide body (moving over 650 pax off/on the aircraft) in 47 minutes, using three sets of steps and coaches.
Here in the States, Southwest Airlines is testing a dual jetbridge setup to load/unload passengers on their 737’s. They have 2 of these set up at an East Coast airport for testing. I can’t remember offhand where I was as my destinations over the last 2 weeks have blurred together.
I wish I got a picture as they are pretty wild looking. The first jetbridge is setup as any single operation would. The second jetbridge exits the terminal and parallels the first along the left side of the aircraft up to the point where the first jetbridge docks with the main cabin door. It then continues OVER the left wing and docks with the service door at the aft of the aircraft. In order to allow for the 737 to taxi in and be pushed back the second jetbridge raises at a joint about at the main cabin door, and it raises quite high up to a 45 degree angle.
I think it was in New York State somewhere. If, when, I make it back there I’ll take a picture. The ramper I talked to mentioned that they were trying to load a full aircraft in less than 5-10 minutes or something outrageous like that.
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