An air travel system preferably uses an airport terminal or concourse that includes at least one regional aircraft boarding pier and at least one boarding bridge for larger aircraft. The regional aircraft boarding pier includes a primary passenger bridge extending from the airport terminal or concourse; a pier hub connected to the primary passenger bridge; and a plurality of secondary passenger bridges connected to, and extending from, the hub. Each secondary passenger bridge has a docking end for docking with a regional aircraft. A method of operating this air travel system includes boarding a passenger on a regional aircraft by sending the passenger through the regional aircraft boarding pier. This may be before or after the passenger also uses a boarding bridge to board a larger aircraft which is a connecting flight in the passenger's travel itinerary. This method allows the passenger to transfer between regional and larger aircraft within a single airport concourse or terminal.