AIRLINE TERMINOLOGY

Question 1

ADULT

Answer 1

A passenger who has reached his twelfth birthday.

Question 2

ALLIANCE

Answer 2

An agreement between airlines designed to strategically synchronize schedules, fares, seat inventory and airport procedures as well as code-sharing.

Question 3

BAGGAGE

Answer 3

A passenger’s personal property considered necessary or appropriate for wear, comfort, or convenience in connection with her travel.

Question 4

BOARDING PASS

Answer 4

Card given to a passenger that indicates that all check-in procedures are completed and indicates seats to be occupied on board the aircraft.

Question 5

BULKHEAD

Answer 5

A term used to identify any dividing wall in the cabin of the aircraft. A bulkhead seat is located directly in front of the bulkhead.

Question 6

CARRIER

Answer 6

The term used for tariff, ticketing and baggage purposes to define and identify all companies engaged in commercial transportation.

Question 7

CARRY-ON BAGGAGE

Answer 7

Hand carry baggage a passenger keeps with him during travel and transit.

Question 8

CHECK-IN

Answer 8

Official registration with designated carrier prior to boarding. A boarding pass confirms completion.

Question 9

CHECKED BAGGAGE

Answer 9

Baggage which is in the custody of the airline after check-in and during the entirety of the flight. A coded tag with complete routing is attached.

Question 10

CHILD

Answer 10

A passenger who has reached his second birthday but not his twelfth.

Question 11

CODE SHARE

Answer 11

A flight operated by one carrier but sold and marketed by others.

Question 12

CONNECTING FLIGHT

Answer 12

A flight that requires a passenger to change aircraft/flight numbers as part of one itinerary.

Question 13

DENIED BOARDING

Answer 13

When a passenger with a confirmed reservation is refused boarding most commonly due to insufficient seat availability. Other factors include intoxication, safety, etc.

Question 14

DENIED BOARDING COMPENSATION (DBC)

Answer 14

Compensation issued to a passenger denied boarding. Compensation usually includes financial payment in the form of cash or future tickets.

Question 15

DEPORTEE (DEPO)

Answer 15

A person who has been officially discharged from a country and returned to his country of citizenship.

Question 16

DIRECT FLIGHT

Answer 16

A flight that stops in multiple cities under one consistent flight number and does not require passengers to change planes.

Question 17

ELECTRONIC TICKET

Answer 17

A ‘paperless’ ticket whose details are captured and stored in an airlines’ reservation system. Nearly all tickets are now ‘electronic’.

Question 18

ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL (ETA)

ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE (ETD)

Answer 18

The time a flight is expected arrive/depart based on various factors. Usually established on day of departure. Factors include weather, mechanical issues, etc.

Question 19

EXCESS BAGGAGE

Answer 19

Baggage in excess of an airline’s published allowable limits. Excess baggage is usually allowed for an additional charge.

Question 20

FLIGHT INTERRUPTION MANIFEST (FIM)

Answer 20

A document used in place of a ticket when one airline creates an interruption that requires re-routing to another carrier.

Question 21

INADMISSIBLE PASSENGER (INAD)

Answer 21

A traveler refused entry into a country by the receiving government. Most common reasons are visa-passport violations.

Question 22

INFANT

Answer 22

A passenger who has not reached her second birthday. May travel on lap of parent.

Question 23

ITINERARY

Answer 23

All flights that comprise a passenger name record (PNR) or reservation.

Question 24

JETWAY / JETBRIDGE

Answer 24

An enclosed and movable walkway connecting an airport terminal to the door of an aircraft.

Question 25

MINIMUM CONNECTION TIME (MCT)

Answer 25

Officially established minimum amount of time that should exist between scheduled connecting flights.

Question 26

NO SHOW

Answer 26

A passenger who fails to use or cancel a reservation.

Question 27

NON-REV PASSENGER

Answer 27

A passenger who generates no revenue when flying. Seats are not confirmed and are ‘space available’. Usually employees of the airline or other carriers.

Question 28

NON-STOP FLIGHT

Answer 28

A flight that makes no scheduled stops between departure and arrival points.

Question 29

OVERBOOKING

Answer 29

The process of booking more passengers on a flight than there are seats.

Question 30

PASSENGER NAME RECORD (PNR)

Answer 30

A file of information needed to complete a passenger’s reservation (name, phone number, ticket number, itinerary and other information).

Question 31

PASSPORT

Answer 31

An official document issued by a government, certifying the holder’s identity and citizenship, entitling them to travel under its protection to and from foreign countries.

Question 32

RESERVATION

Answer 32

An agreement between an airline and a passenger to reserve a seat on a flight.

Question 33

SPECIAL MEAL

Answer 33

Meals served to passengers with specific requests or requirements based on medical, religious or nutritional reasons (vegetarian, low salt, Kosher, Hindu, etc.)

Question 34

UNACCOMPANIED MINOR

Answer 34

A child between the ages of 5 - 11 who is traveling alone and is assisted by airline personnel.

Question 35

VISA

Answer 35

An official permit to enter a country for a specific purpose over a specified period of time.

Question 36

YOUNG PASSENGER (YP)

Answer 36

A youth traveling alone who is too old to be considered an unaccompanied minor (usually between 12 - 16).