There could be issues with the mechanics of the jetway, or it could take a few times to line up properly with the aircraft door. Multiple aircraft could arrive at the airport at the same time and the ground crew cannot accommodate them all at the same time.

The deplaning process is often slow due to a combination of physical bottlenecks and human behavior. Firstly, the "narrow tube" design of the aircraft means that passengers must exit in a single-file line, which is naturally restricted by people retrieving luggage from the overhead bins. In 2026, as airlines charge more for checked bags, the number of carry-ons has increased, further slowing the process. There is also a "domino effect": the front rows must clear before the back rows can move, but often people in the middle begin standing and blocking the aisle prematurely. Behind the scenes, the jet bridge alignment and ground crew availability can cause delays. Efficiency studies show that if passengers remained seated and exited row-by-row, the process would be faster, but the psychological urge to stand after a long flight and the "baggage scramble" consistently make deplaning one of the most frustrating parts of air travel.