One term you'll often hear at the airport is "gate." This word pops up during flight departure announcements and you can find it on your boarding pass and on various information boards throughout the airport.
In this article, I'll explain what a gate is and its functions at the airport.
At the airport, a "gate" or "boarding gate" is where passengers go to board their flight. Gates are located inside the terminal and are assigned a specific number or code, like Gate 1, Gate A, or Gate A1.
Each gate typically has a waiting area known as the boarding lounge. Close to the lounge, you'll find amenities for passengers including seats, bathrooms, and even places to eat and shop.
The number of gates an airport has depends on its size and capacity. Smaller airports may have just a few gates, while major international airports can boast dozens to hundreds of gates.
For instance, Senai International Airport has a total of seven gates for passenger flights, whereas Hong Kong Airport has hundreds.
At airports, you often hear terms like "gate" and "terminal," but they mean different things.
A terminal is a large building at the airport with various facilities for passengers, such as check-in counters, security checkpoints, shops, restaurants, lounges, and waiting areas. Terminals are usually divided into sections for domestic or international flights.
Large airports may have several terminals that could be separate or connected. For example, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has three terminals (Terminal 1, 2, and 3), each serving different flights and airlines.
A gate is a specific spot within a terminal where passengers board and disembark their flights. Simply put, the terminal is the whole building, while the gate is a designated area within that building for getting on and off planes.
When boarding a plane, it's essential to know which gate you'll be using. The easiest way to find this information is by checking your boarding pass.
After checking in, you'll receive a boarding pass that includes details about your flight, such as the gate number. Look for the section labeled "Gate" to find this information.
Besides checking your boarding pass, you can also find your gate by looking at the information boards located throughout the airport. These boards display details about all upcoming flights, including the flight number, destination, departure time, and gate number.
If you're still unsure, there are other ways to find your gate. For more details, read on:
You can usually enter the gate area after completing the check-in process and security checks. Check-in typically begins a few hours before the scheduled departure time. Once you've checked in, you'll receive a boarding pass with your gate number.
After checking in, you'll go through security screening. For international flights, you'll also need to go through immigration. Once these processes are complete, you can head to the waiting area near your gate.
Then, just wait for boarding time. The boarding time is usually indicated on your boarding pass and on the airport information boards. Boarding typically starts about 30-45 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Airport officials will announce when the boarding process begins. Boarding is usually done in stages, based on your seat number or boarding group as determined by the airline.
Flight gates usually close a few minutes before the scheduled departure time to ensure all passengers have boarded and the flight preparation can proceed smoothly. The exact gate closure time can vary depending on the airline's policy.
You can find gate closure information on the airport information boards, often labeled "Last Call." Additionally, airport announcements frequently remind passengers when the gate is about to close.
To avoid missing your flight, make sure to be at the gate before boarding time. Also, listen to all announcements in case there are any changes, such as a gate transfer.
I hope this clears up any confusion about airport gates and their procedures.
