Why do I sometimes board or leave the aircraft using stairs, even when the aircraft is parked at a boarding bridge?

On some flights, the WIWO – Walk-In / Walk-Out procedure may be used to speed up passenger boarding or disembarkation. This allows passengers to board or leave the aircraft through more than one door at the same time.

Passengers seated in the front part of the aircraft, usually in rows 1–15, use the front door. Passengers seated further back, typically from row 16 onwards, may be directed via the stairs in the fixed part of the boarding bridge onto the apron, and then via mobile stairs to the rear door of the aircraft.

The entire route across the apron is always marked by a safety corridor, and passenger movement is supervised by handling staff. This procedure is used only when operational and safety conditions allow it.