Photo: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2012.
A jet bridge (jetway or sky bridge) is an enclosed ramp that connects the gate of an air terminal to the door of an aircraft. They are designed to accommodate a wide range of aircraft, from large wide-body planes such as the B777 or A330 to small regional jets such as the E170 (as pictured in the above photo; E175?). They offer the convenience of protecting the embarking or disembarking passengers (and crew) from weather conditions and provide added security and safety by preventing passengers from walking around the airfield between the aircraft and the terminal. However, they have the drawback of consuming a specific amount of space regardless of the type of aircraft being used.