Why Airport Departures Are Always On The Upper Level ? | Airport Design Insights

Описание: Airports are confusing and it’s common to get lost. These video series are going to share with you the Airport Design Insights, giving you the knowledge to get through airport faster.

I used to wait for someone to pick me up on the wrong level, end up took that poor guy at least extra 30 mins circling in airport traffic to find me! Let’s find out WHY departures always on the upper level, to save your time in the next travel!

00:00 - Opening
00:21 - Why Departure Is Always On The Upper Level
00:35 - Reason #1 Passenger Boarding Bridges
01:38 - Reason #2 Bag Handling System
03:18 - Reason #3 Dwell Time


#1 Passenger Boarding Bridges

Passenger Boarding Bridges are enclosed bridges connecting to the aircraft and terminal. Due to the door height of an aircraft, PBB usually starts from second level of a building. It significantly improves the passenger experience by providing an seamless transition between the terminal and aircraft. Remember in the old days, passengers are brought to airside where they may have to walk or be bussed to another location, wait for boarding in windy and noisy environment? PBBs are safer and more efficient for the airport operation too, it allows passengers deplane from an aircraft quickly and easily right to the terminal. Leave enough time for aircraft services, such as cleaning and refueling, to be done quickly before it flies back to the sky.


#2 Bag Handling System

Passengers need to go through security checkpoint before boarding a flight, same as bags. A departing bag's invisible journey starts at the check-in counter where passengers drop their bags, then it gets put on this highly sophisticated conveyor system called Bag Handling System. While the bag is riding the roller coster and having fun, the screening and sorting are done at the same time, it finally gets on the baggage cart on the airside to onboard a flight. When it arrives to the destination airport, the bag is unloaded from the airplane and transported to the baggage claim devices, where passengers pick up their bags on the arrivals level. Bags are heavy so moving them downwards is highly desirable to save energy. Departures on the upper level allows the bags move downwards or at the same level most of the time. Plus, Baggage claim devices on the arrival level are big and cumbersome, locating them on the ground floor is easier for installation as well as maintenance if large components need to be replaced.


#3 Dwell Time

Departing passengers are requested by an airline to be at the airport hours ahead of their departure, usually 2 hrs for domestic, and 4 hrs for international travelers. They have more waiting time at the airport than arriving passengers, and often desire a nicer environment and concessions to kill time. Airport often provide a good variety of programs such as food &beverages, shopping and art exhibition. An upper level departure naturally provide the architectural opportunities to create a more pleasant experience, including higher ceilings, natural light and better airfield views. And some airports are pushing the airport experience to another level, like Singapore Changi airport is an unforgettable tourist destination with massive waterfalls and landscaping.