I was sitting in SMF this past weekend, staring out the window, and was wondering why jet bridges in the USA are made of solid materials rather than glass as I have seen in other parts of the world. I did a search and found the thread below, which states NFPA 415 (National Fire Protection Association: Standard on Airport Terminal Buildings, Fueling Ramp Drainage, and Loading Walkways) prevented any translucent materials. Keep in mind that, while NFPA doesn't write any laws, many jurisdictions codify NFPA rules into law.

viewtopic.php?t=546041

Well I am happy to report that I did some research and the rule has been removed from the 2016 edition of the code. The justification as given:

Current boarding bridges with glass walls/windows have been successfully tested in accordance with 6.4. Recent information developed for the committee suggests that use of glass will not significantly impact the probability of a successful aircraft evacuation. This data includes limitations of current bridge use, fire loss history, fuel drainage requirements, crew training in emergency evacuation procedures at the gate, and aircraft human factors studies.

http://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutT ... Report.pdf (page 5)

Hopefully this means we will be seeing glass jet bridges in the USA in the future! I'm looking forward to it as, though the time spent in them is usually short, jet bridges can get claustrophobic and uncomfortable.

SBA, ICT, and most recently SBP have glass jetbridges in the US. There may be some others?

SYR has one glass jetbridge

Probably for no other reason that, when they were built glass bridges weren't really a thing?

Keeping it cool in the summer also an issue ... but now that fire code is changed it’s a start ...

COSPN wrote:

Keeping it cool in the summer also an issue ... but now that fire code is changed it’s a start ...

AMA has them. I don't think that cooling is much of an issue.

Are you referring to something like this?

http://www.airportimprovement.com/artic ... d-regional

JetBridges are expensive. They cost between $200,000 and $600,000. Glass jetbridges cost more than metal ones. US airlines are ferocious when it comes to airport landing fees and charges and lobby airport authorities hard to keep costs down. They don't want to spend any more money than necessary. A standard metal jetbridge is around $250-300K. With most US airports having a significant number of gates, the cost adds up quickly.

If I had to guess, one major reason would be cost... glass is expensive

MCI's renderings show glass jetbridges

The jet bridges for the new gates at the L concourse, were just installed... not glass

See post #92:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1374447&hilit=chicago&start=50

FARmd90 wrote:

SYR has one glass jetbridge

Yes, it's the farthest gate in this shot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CfnUeAKM04

As others have said, Building/fire codes have caused problems in the past, and cost is a concern. I would expect to be seeing more of them be installed in the future though. I head rumor that the SEA N terminal refresh was looking at them.

Certainly, using glass instead of solid materials can make any area more open and less claustrophobic. But, using glass can mean an area will get much warmer on a sunny day. I've always thought that the extensive use of glass in Terminal 1 at ORD makes for a much warmer area on sunny summer days, compared to Terminals 2 and 3.

That said, I seem to remember, back in the 60s and 70s, that a number of jet bridges used to have windows. I recall one of AA's gates at LGA had small windows, and that was back around 2003 or 2004. Perhaps a metal jet bridge, with windows, would be the compromise between an all-metal jet bridge and a glass jet bridge, which would be considerably more expensive.

A few things: 1) The way it's always - Glass comes across as extra expense - in lots of US airports you are dealing with local/regional govt agencies who want a nice experience but this is considered over the top by some . 2) Thermal: Heat build up in airports in high temp/humidity areas would need more aggressive cooling

I've never seen an RFP for airport jet bridges in the US ever include or ask about glass options - just not seen as needed.

FARmd90 wrote:

SYR has one glass jetbridge

SYR now has more, the total of glass jetbridge's is now around three.

With the new terminal in SLC being built there is an opportunity for all gates to be made of glass. I wonder if this has been considered or not. Has anyone heard?

HSV has been replacing their old jetbridges with glass ones. They should be finished by now.

NickLAX wrote:

A few things: 1) The way it's always - Glass comes across as extra expense - in lots of US airports you are dealing with local/regional govt agencies who want a nice experience but this is considered over the top by some . 2) Thermal: Heat build up in airports in high temp/humidity areas would need more aggressive cooling

I've never seen an RFP for airport jet bridges in the US ever include or ask about glass options - just not seen as needed.

This is definitely true. I know a lot of smaller airports are upgrading to accommodate the shift to larger jets. With that, a lot of communities actually enjoy walking out onto the tarmac and onto the plane. The glass jet bridges are a good compromise that is safer for passengers but they can still enjoy the scenery.

Airontario wrote:

Probably for no other reason that, when they were built glass bridges weren't really a thing?

By the looks of the responses from other posters, this is probably the case. US airports were late to the airport refurbishment game, and only recently started getting round to it, but they certainly seem to be embracing glass bridges now.

European and Asian airports aren't really that different, they just started refurbishing or building new terminals/airports at a much earlier point.

Cost may and era that they were built in is probably a factor. However, based on other design aspects of a typical US airport experience, I'd say "we didn't think we needed to change anything from the gates we have always had" is probably a factor too. Same reason why many US car manufacturers have had very similar dashboard designs for a long time whereas European and Asian manufacturers have evolved their designs quite a bit.

Also, there are glass coatings and materials that drastically reduce the heat issue. Yes, by adding cost.

AirlineCritic wrote:

Same reason why many US car manufacturers have had very similar dashboard designs for a long time whereas European and Asian manufacturers have evolved their designs quite a bit.

American consumers have been conditioned to decide more on branding than on actual product performance.
Even in colloquial language things are more often tagged via $manufacturer than $function from ..


What came up from my background as firefighter:
How do people react to a _visible_ fuel ( or other ) fire under/around the boarding bridge?
Do they balk at using the escape path into the main building?

With the fully opaque bridges that does not come up.

Another piece that wasn't mentioned is that with glass jetways, every passenger can see everything going on outside which is not always ideal...

alasizon wrote:

Another piece that wasn't mentioned is that with glass jetways, every passenger can see everything going on outside which is not always ideal...

Apple Airport, eh?
ref: https://www.wired.com/1995/03/if-operat ... -airlines/
or http://utdallas.edu/~ahoward/osairlines.html

NFPA has been considering the change for the better part of 20 years. They work reasonably well in hot places like Hong Kong and Bangkok, and cold places as well.

If not mentioned yet, ONT has a glass gate - 404 I believe. Kind of odd for us pilots, as the passengers walk by us when we're used to being a little
secluded. Don't get complacent and pick your nose...

Mutt wrote:

Don't get complacent and pick your nose...

could be worse by a quantum step:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... Manufaktur
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_Factory

GoCougs wrote:

As others have said, Building/fire codes have caused problems in the past, and cost is a concern. I would expect to be seeing more of them be installed in the future though. I head rumor that the SEA N terminal refresh was looking at them.

That is true that fire codes are the main reason for the lack of glass bridges. Wichita, KS (ICT) last year built a new terminal with 12 glass jet bridges. The Wichita newspaper reported that the jet bridges were glass because the airport architect classified the new jet bridges as part of the ground equipment, rather than part of the airport terminal. This evidentially changed the fire code classification of the glass jet bridges and allowed them to be used in the airport. If they had been considered as part of the terminal, the fire codes would have prevented their use.
https://www.flywichita.com/maps/

alasizon wrote:

Another piece that wasn't mentioned is that with glass jetways, every passenger can see everything going on outside which is not always ideal...

They can see much of the same, if not more, from the windows in the gate area.

citationjet wrote:

alasizon wrote:

Another piece that wasn't mentioned is that with glass jetways, every passenger can see everything going on outside which is not always ideal...

They can see much of the same, if not more, from the windows in the gate area.

True but there is plenty (particularly in hubs) that goes on ramp level under the gate areas which right now can't be seen. I'm personally for glass jetways because it makes the passengers feel like it is more spacious but I know I would be handling a lot more passenger complaints as a result.

alasizon wrote:

... but I know I would be handling a lot more passenger complaints as a result.

What kind of complaint would you expect (reasonable, frivolous ) ?

WIederling wrote:

alasizon wrote:

... but I know I would be handling a lot more passenger complaints as a result.

What kind of complaint would you expect (reasonable, frivolous ) ?

You get both, purely depends on the passengers. The two I foresee as increasing would be the "they were too rough on my bag" and the complaints about planeside bags.

alasizon wrote:

The two I foresee as increasing would be the "they were too rough on my bag" and the complaints about planeside bags.

See why we (us fortunate glass bridge owners ) use containerized baggage solutions

WeatherPilot wrote:

FARmd90 wrote:

SYR has one glass jetbridge

Yes, it's the farthest gate in this shot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CfnUeAKM04

Actually there are two glass bridges--gates 1 and 9 (?) .

PDX88 wrote:

HSV has been replacing their old jetbridges with glass ones. They should be finished by now.

I was last in HSV back in late September and it looks like about half of their jetbridges (6) are glass. It was nice walking off of the MD80 from ATL right into the sunlight. I definitely would love to see more glass jetbridges here in the states.



On a side note, I hadn't been in HSV (my hometown) since 2008 and the airport looks great. The new jetbridges really add to the more modern look of the entire terminal.

I love ICT bridges. Every time I fly in there it reminds me of early morning arrivals into Europe, which bring back fond memories.

WIederling wrote:

alasizon wrote:

The two I foresee as increasing would be the "they were too rough on my bag" and the complaints about planeside bags.

See why we (us fortunate glass bridge owners ) use containerized baggage solutions

I don’t think Americans are so backwards and unsophisticated compared to Germans as you imply. Glass bridges cost more and are less desirable while bulk loading is preferred.

Newbiepilot wrote:

I don’t think Americans are so backwards and unsophisticated compared to Germans as you imply.

Humor. Difficult concept, I know.

WIederling wrote:

Newbiepilot wrote:

I don’t think Americans are so backwards and unsophisticated compared to Germans as you imply.

Humor. Difficult concept, I know.

It wasn’t funny.