Plural of gangway; passages, walkways, or ramps that provide access between areas, especially on ships, trains, or large structures.
From 'gang' (a going or passage) + 'way' (a path). The compound emerged in nautical vocabulary and spread to other transport industries.
Airplane gangways (technically jet bridges) were revolutionary—before they existed, passengers had to climb stairs to board planes on the tarmac in all weather, which was terrible for the elderly, disabled, and anyone in a storm.
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