Just returned from yet another fantastic holiday in Carvoeiro. Will try and do a restaurant review at some point, but in the meantime have a random question......

We flew with BA for the first time, and when we arrived at Faro, instead of disembarking the plane down the steps, (which I love as you get your first feel of the heat) & then getting a bus to the terminal, we went straight from the plane onto a sky bridge into the terminal. Is this what all the major airlines do now? Just wondered as am planning on returning with elderly parents & this would make life much easier for them.

Thank you!

Hello Bessie

I am pleased you enjoyed your holiday.

I would presume that disembarking down the stairs or via the airbridge is more likely to be based on turnaround timeslots of the aircraft .If a plane has got an hour to offload and reload then the airbridge is more than likely to be used as it saves time.

I have landed with Easy Jet, Monarch, Ryanair and a few others and sometimes with the same airline they may on occasions require you to go down the steps and take that damn awful cramped bus journey or just get off via the airbridge which is so convenient. May be worth a call to the airline and enquire.

The air bridge seems convenient, but you end up going down stairs, in order to go up stairs, then downstairs to passport control. At least with the bus it just takes you to the doors and you can hop out without all the stairs!

my experiences: I mix and match using Aer Lingus from both Dublin and Belfast, Easyjet from Belfast and Ryanair from Dublin.

Aer Lingus always use the bus. Easyjet always use the airbridge. Ryanair mostly use the airbridge parking space but not the actual airbridge - you walk down the steps and vice versa departing. Departing on my June visit the Ryanair aircraft was parked down at the end of the apron (usually where the Aer Lingus planes park) and we had to walk, in batches of around 20 passengers, escorted by an airport official to the aircraft. I would guess around 1/2 kilometre. They filled up the departure 'doorway' in the D section, and then an official led that batch down along the side of the airport and on our walk we met a couple of returning officials from earlier 'walks' returning to the building to collect the next batch. Comical. Would not say uncle michael was too happy as we were about 1 hour late on departing as a result.

just back myself and this time it was easyjet to belfast. happy with the service and the price was good, converted from sterling to euro return for 2 people and 1 bag was €197.01 happy days. next time its out with aer lingus and return with ryanair both dublin. So one bus journey and one walk. aer lingus allocate seats so no rushing but don't like the bus journey.

You can never be sure which system will be used even with the same air line - I believe that it is governed by cost as the air bridge system is more expensive!
I know several people who ,when travelling with elderly people with mobility problems, request assistance which in Faro is very good- they use a special vehicle which extends up to provide simple access on and off the plane. if you want to use this you need to advise the airline ahead of time such as with Easy Jet as follows:-
http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Planning/Specific/index.html
This will also prevent a long walk in the UK such as at Gatwick where the walk can sometimes seem longer than the flight

I have travelled with Easy Jet and Monarch and have never used the skybridge.

[quote="cereza"]You can never be sure which system will be used even with the same air line - I believe that it is governed by cost as the air bridge system is more expensive!
I know several people who ,when travelling with elderly people with mobility problems, request assistance which in Faro is very good- they use a special vehicle which extends up to provide simple access on and off the plane.


I agree with your comments re the cost being a major factor. have also seen that little vehicle they have for passengers with mobility problems used with ryanair so I assume all airlines use it at Faro. I have observed how they treat such passengers at Faro and again agree they are very friendly and efficient in their approach to the job.

bruce wrote:I have travelled with Easy Jet and Monarch and have never used the skybridge.

It's reserved for us soft southerners Sue

I should have known

Bessie, I forgot to mention that it is very nice of you that you wish to take your elderly parents with you to the Algarve. You hear about adult children that live their own busy lives and tend to see less of their parents and in some extreme cases just ignore them or their partner's parents.

I hope you can find a solution to the disembarking question, so that you and your parents can start their holidays relatively easy without any stress.Your mum and dad have a good daughter in you. I only wish I still had my parents around and I could take them for holidays in the sun.

Many thanks for all your replies... I've called the major airlines & got the same answer really, a bit hit & miss regarding the airbridge. However they are all extremely helpful with regard to help needed so we shall see.

James - a special thanks for your kind words. I know that within a few days the mum/daughter bickering will commence but life is too short, and nothing will make them happier than spending time with their 5yr old grandaughter, and as regular visitors, it will be lovely to be able to share Carvoeiro with them. 11 months & counting!!!!!!