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 codesharing. There are currently
three major alliances: OneWorld, SkyTeam and Star
Alliance.

Question 3

Boarding pass

Answer 3

Card or paper provided to a passenger that indicates that
all check-in procedures are completed. It displays passenger’s assigned seat as well as other passenger information.

Question 4

Bulkhead

Answer 4

A term used to identify any dividing wall in the cabin of the
aircraft. A bulkhead seat is located behind the wall or partition.

Question 5

Carrier

Answer 5

The term used for tariff, ticketing and baggage purposes
intended to define and identify all companies involved in
commercial transportation. More simply; airlines.

Question 6

Carry-on baggage

Answer 6

Also known as hand carry or cabin baggage. Baggage a
passenger takes aboard and keeps with them in the cabin
of the aircraft.

Question 7

Check-in

Answer 7

Official registration process with designated carrier prior to
a flight’s departure. The issuance of a boarding pass confirms completion.

Question 8

Checked baggage

Answer 8

Baggage that is in the care and custody of the airline after
check-in until the arrival of the flight. Checked baggage is
tagged to the guest’s final destination and is stored in the
designated storage area of the aircraft.

Question 9

Child

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Codeshare

Answer 10

A flight operated by one carrier but is marketed and sold by
another partner airline.

Question 11

Connecting flight

Answer 11

A flight that requires a passenger to change aircraft and/or
flight numbers as part of one itinerary, before reaching their
final destination.

Question 12

Denied boarding

Answer 12

When a passenger with a confirmed reservation is refused
boarding. Most commonly there is insufficient seat inventory
to accommodate the guest. Other factors include passenger
intoxication, illness, safety concerns or behavior issues.
Guests are not compensated.

Question 13

Denied boarding compensation (DBC)

Answer 13

Compensation issued to a passenger voluntarily denied
boarding. Compensation usually includes financial considerations such as vouchers, cash or future flights.

Question 14

Deportee

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Direct flight

Answer 15

A flight that is scheduled to stop in one or multiple cities under one consistent flight number and does not require a passenger to change aircraft.

Question 16

E-ticket

Answer 16

A paperless ticket which stores reservations details in the
airline’s check-in system. Nearly all tickets are now e-tickets.

Question 17

ETA/ETD (estimated time of arrival/departure)

Answer 17

The time at which a flight is estimated to arrive/depart. This
time is often different than the scheduled time, taking into account updated conditions and factors.

Question 18

Excess baggage

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Flight interruption manifest (FIM)

Answer 19

A document used in place of a ticket when an airline creates
an interruption in a guest’s flight and requires rebooking on
another airline.

Question 20

Inadmissible passenger (INAD)

Answer 20

A traveler refused entry into a country by the receiving government’s immigration service. Most commonly, visa or passport issues determine the refusal.

Question 21

Infant

Answer 21

A passenger who has not reached his second birthday. He
may or may not occupy a seat of his own. Most travel on the
lap of a parent or guardian.

Question 22

Itinerary

Answer 22

A route or proposed route of a scheduled journey.

Question 23

Jet bridge/jetway

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Minimum connection time (MCT)

Answer 24

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

Question 25

No show

Answer 25

A passenger who fails to use or cancel an unused reservation.

Question 26

Non-rev passenger

Answer 26

A passenger who generates no revenue when traveling.
Seats are not confirmed and are usually issued on a ‘space
available’ basis. Most often, airline employees or family
members are non-revs.

Question 27

Non-stop

Answer 27

A flight makes no scheduled stops between departure and
arrival under one consistent flight number.

Question 28

Overbooking

Answer 28

The process of booking more passengers on a flight than the
aircraft’s seat capacity allows.

Question 29

Passenger name record (PNR)

Answer 29

A file of information needed to complete a passenger’s reservation. A name, itinerary, phone number and ticket number
are the main components of a PNR.

Question 30

Passport

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Reservation

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Special meal

Answer 32

Meals prepared for and served to passengers with specific requests or requirements based on medical, nutritional or religious reasons (low-fat, gluten free, Kosher, Hindu, etc.)

Question 33

Unaccompanied minor

Answer 33

A child traveling alone who is cared for and supervised by airline personnel (restrictions vary).

Question 34

Visa

Answer 34

An official permit to enter a country for a specific purpose over a pre-established amount of time.

Question 35

Young passenger (YP)

Answer 35

A minor or child who is too old to be considered an unaccompanied minor (age requirements vary).