Glossary of Air Travel Terms

Author:

John Parker

Updated:

This is a comprehensive, A-to-Z glossary of common air travel and airport security terms. While not exhaustive of every regional authority or industry-specific acronym, it covers a wide range of key vocabulary encountered when flying or navigating airport procedures.

Contents

A

AAdvantage / MileagePlus / SkyMiles (etc.)

  • Frequent-flyer programs offered by various airlines (American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, etc.) to reward loyal travelers with points or miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other perks.

ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System)

  • A digital data link system used by airplanes to communicate with ground stations, often for flight status and operational messages.

Aerobridge / Jet Bridge / Jetway

  • The enclosed, movable bridge that connects the airport gate to the aircraft door for passenger boarding and deplaning.

Airside

  • The secure area of the airport accessible only to passengers who have cleared security. Includes departure gates, waiting lounges, and duty-free shops (in many countries).

Airport Code

  • A three-letter code assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to identify airports worldwide (e.g., LAX for Los Angeles International).

Airport Lounges

  • Dedicated areas offering amenities such as comfortable seating, snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and sometimes showers or business facilities, typically for premium cabin or frequent-flyer members.

AISLE Seat

  • A seat next to the aisle in an aircraft cabin. Passengers often choose aisle seats for easier access to restrooms or to stretch their legs.

Arrival / Arrivals Hall

  • The section of the airport where passengers enter upon landing, typically featuring baggage claim and customs/immigration facilities for international flights.

B

Baggage Allowance

  • The amount of luggage (carry-on and checked) a passenger may bring without extra fees. Varies by airline, fare class, route, and frequent-flyer status.

Baggage Carousel (Belt)

  • The conveyor system in the arrivals area where checked luggage is delivered to passengers post-flight.

Boarding Pass

  • A document (paper or electronic) granting a passenger permission to board the aircraft. It includes seat assignment, boarding time, and gate information.

Boarding Time

  • The time at which passengers are allowed to begin boarding the plane. Different zones or groups may be called in stages.

C

Cabin Classes

  • Categories of service within an aircraft (e.g., Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class, First Class). Each offers different levels of comfort and amenities.

Carry-On Baggage

  • The luggage that passengers can bring into the aircraft cabin, subject to size, weight, and security restrictions.

CBP (Customs and Border Protection) (U.S.)

  • The federal agency responsible for regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including immigration and customs.

Check-In

  • The process by which a passenger confirms their presence on a flight, typically receives a boarding pass, and may drop off checked baggage. Can be done online, via self-service kiosk, or at an airline counter.

Checked Baggage

  • Luggage that is stored in the aircraft’s cargo hold, handed over at check-in and retrieved at baggage claim upon arrival.

CLEAR (U.S.)

  • A private biometric identity verification service, available at select airports, that expedites the identity check portion of airport security. Often used in tandem with TSA PreCheck.

Code-Sharing

  • An arrangement in which two or more airlines share the same flight, allowing them to sell tickets on the same aircraft while using different flight numbers.

Concourse

  • A large hall or open area in an airport that provides access to gates, shops, and other facilities.

Connecting Flight

  • A flight itinerary that involves switching planes (and possibly airlines) at an intermediate airport before reaching the final destination.

D

Departure / Departure Hall

  • The area of the airport containing airline check-in counters, security screening points, and access to gates.

Direct Flight

  • A flight that uses the same flight number from origin to destination, though it may include a stop or stops without a plane change. This differs from a “nonstop flight,” which has no stops.

Domestic Flight

Duty-Free

  • Duty Free Shops in international terminals selling goods such as perfumes, alcohol, cigarettes, and luxury items, often exempt from local or national taxes for international travelers.

E

E-Gate / Automated Passport Control

  • Automated kiosks used at some airports for immigration processing, allowing travelers to scan their passports and verify their identity faster than traditional passport control lines.

Emergency Exit Row

  • Rows on an aircraft where the emergency exits are located. Passengers seated here are expected to assist in an emergency and typically must meet age and physical ability requirements.

ETD (Estimated Time of Departure)

  • The scheduled or updated time when an aircraft is planned to depart the gate or runway.

F

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) (U.S.)

  • The government body overseeing civil aviation in the United States. Sets regulations and standards for airlines, pilots, airports, and aircraft manufacturers.

FIDS (Flight Information Display System)

  • Electronic displays throughout the airport providing flight departure and arrival information, including gates, times, and statuses.

Final Approach

  • The portion of an aircraft’s approach to landing just before touchdown on the runway.

G

Gate

  • The designated area in an airport terminal where passengers board or deplane from an aircraft, often equipped with a jet bridge.

Gate Pass

  • A gate pass allows a non-passenger to go to the gate with a passenger who perhaps needs help or support.

Global Entry (U.S.)

  • A U.S. Customs and Border Protection program allowing expedited customs clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.

H

Hand Baggage or hand luggage

  • Another term for carry-on baggage.

Hub Airport

  • An airport that an airline uses as its central transfer point to get passengers to their destinations, offering numerous connecting flights.

I

IATA (International Air Transport Association)

  • A global airline trade association that assigns airport codes, airline designators, and helps set operational standards.

ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)

  • A United Nations agency that defines international civil aviation standards, including flight operation and airport design.

Immigration

  • The checkpoint where passports and visas are inspected for international arrivals. Officers verify travelers’ eligibility to enter the country.

In-Flight Entertainment (IFE)

  • Systems onboard that offer movies, TV shows, music, games, or Wi-Fi to passengers.

Involuntarily Denied Boarding

  • If there aren’t enough volunteers, some passengers may be involuntarily denied boarding (bumped) and are entitled to compensation under airline policies and government regulations.

K

Known Traveler Number (KTN)

  • A number assigned by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (through programs like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry) that grants access to expedited security lanes.

L

Landing Gear

  • The undercarriage of an aircraft, including wheels or skids, used for takeoff and landing.

Layover

  • A short stay in a connecting city while traveling to a final destination. Passengers often deplane and wait to board their next flight.

Liquid Restrictions (3-1-1 Rule in the U.S.)

Lost and Found

  • The airport or airline department handling items misplaced by travelers. Located in or near baggage claim or the general services desk.

M

Manifest

  • A document listing all passengers and crew aboard an aircraft, along with cargo details.

Minimum Connection Time

  • The least amount of time a traveler must have between flights to make a connection. Varies by airport and airline.

N

Nonstop Flight

  • A flight that travels from origin to destination without any scheduled stops or connections.

No-Show

  • A passenger who fails to board or cancel a reservation, often resulting in additional fees or forfeiture of the ticket value.

O

Onward Ticket

  • Proof of future travel out of a country, sometimes required by immigration authorities to ensure a passenger will leave before a visa expires.

Open-Jaw Ticket

  • A ticket where a traveler flies into one airport and departs from another (e.g., flying from New York to Paris, then returning from London to New York).

Overbooking

  • Airline overbooking is when airlines sell more tickets than available seats, expecting some passengers to no-show. If a flight is full, airlines first seek volunteers to take a later flight, but if necessary, some passengers may be involuntarily bumped and compensated.

P

Passport Control

  • The immigration checkpoint where travelers must show valid travel documents when entering or exiting an international destination.

PNR (Passenger Name Record)

  • The unique identifier in an airline or travel agency’s reservation system containing passenger details and itinerary.

Pre-Boarding

  • The process of allowing passengers who need extra time (e.g., those with disabilities, those traveling with infants) to board before general boarding begins.

Priority Boarding

  • An airline benefit granted to premium cabin travelers, elite frequent-flyer members, or those who purchase the option, allowing them to board ahead of others.

R

Ramp

  • The area of the airport where aircraft are parked, loaded, and refueled. Only authorized personnel and vehicles may access this area.

Red-Eye Flight

  • A flight that departs late in the evening and arrives early in the morning, often involving an overnight journey.

S

Seat Pitch

  • The distance from any point on one seat to the same point on the seat in front of it, often used as an indicator of legroom.

Security Checkpoint

  • The station at which travelers and their carry-on luggage are screened for prohibited items before entering the secure or airside area of the terminal.

Standby

  • The status of a passenger who has no confirmed seat but is waiting for a seat to become available on a fully booked flight or to try for an earlier/later flight.

Stopover

  • A longer break in travel (24+ hours, typically on international itineraries) at a connecting airport. Often used to explore the stopover city.

T

Taxi / Taxiing

  • The movement of an aircraft on the ground under its own power, between the gate and the runway.

Terminal

  • A building where passengers check in, clear security, and board or deplane flights. Large airports can have multiple terminals.

TSA (Transportation Security Administration) (U.S.)

  • The agency responsible for safeguarding the nation’s transportation systems, primarily focused on passenger and baggage screening in airports.

TSA PreCheck

  • A U.S. program offering expedited security screening for approved travelers, allowing them to keep shoes, laptops, liquids, and belts in place during inspection at dedicated lanes.

U

UMNR (Unaccompanied Minor)

  • A child traveling without a parent or guardian. Airlines often offer special supervision services and policies to ensure the child’s safety.

Upgrade

  • Moving from a lower class of service (e.g., Economy) to a higher class (e.g., Business or First Class) using cash, points, or elite status benefits.

V

Visa

  • A document or official endorsement on a traveler’s passport, permitting entry into a specific country for a set duration and purpose (tourism, business, etc.).

W

Weather Delay

  • A flight delay or cancellation caused by adverse weather conditions affecting safe flight operations.

Weight and Balance

  • The calculation and distribution of an aircraft’s load to ensure it remains within safe operating limits for takeoff, flight, and landing.

X

X-Ray Machine

  • The device used at security checkpoints to scan carry-on baggage and other items for prohibited articles.

Y

Yield Management

  • The airline practice of adjusting fares and available seats based on demand and purchasing trends, optimizing revenue.

Z

Zero Fare Ticket

  • A ticket purchased entirely with frequent-flyer miles or points, resulting in no base fare cost (though taxes and fees may still apply).

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