Jetway
An enclosed, extendable bridge connecting an airport terminal to the door of an aircraft, allowing passengers to board and disembark under cover.
Full Definition
A jetway (also called a jet bridge, aerobridge, or passenger boarding bridge) is a movable connector that extends from a terminal gate to an aircraft door, providing a weatherproof passage for passengers. The term 'jetway' is technically a brand name (a registered trademark of JBT Corporation) that has entered common usage as a generic term. In formal or regulatory documents, editors should prefer 'passenger boarding bridge' (PBB) or 'aerobridge', depending on regional convention. 'Jetway' may be acceptable in less formal documents but should be flagged when appearing in regulatory or standards-based texts.
Usage
Usage note: 'Jetway' is a registered trademark; use 'passenger boarding bridge' (PBB) or 'aerobridge' in formal and regulatory documents. Flag trademark genericisation if encountered in official publications.
In Context
- "The passenger boarding bridge was retracted to allow the aircraft to push back." — Airport operations manual
- "Ground crews noted that the jetway seal was damaged, causing a draught during boarding." — Maintenance defect log