| Term |
Definition |
| (S)RB |
(Sir) Richard Branson |
| *A |
the acronym stands for the Star Alliance. |
| *G |
Star Alliance Gold - Star Alliance status extended to 1Ps and 1Ks (BD*G Diamond Club Gold) |
| *S |
Star Alliance Silver - Star Alliance status extended to 2Ps and 3Ps (BD*S Diamond Club Silver) |
| *W |
Starwood |
| -lite |
A member that obtains a status level through promotions |
| 1K |
United Mileage Plus Premier Executive 1K status. Awarded to members who fly 100,000 actual miles or 100 paid segments AND $12,000 of qualified spending. |
| 1P |
Premier Executive - 50,000 miles or 60 segments in a calendar year |
| 2K, 3K, etc. |
A less formal term to indicate those that have received 200,000 or 300,000 EQM in a year or 200 or 300 EQS in a year. |
| 2P |
Premier - 25000 miles or 30 segments in a calendar year |
| 3P |
Premier Associate - Generally awarded by higher-status MP members as a result of a promotion by UA |
| 3xx or A3xx |
Airbus |
| 4P |
Four Point by Sheraton |
| 500-miler |
Upgrades 500 miles of a segment. You must have enough to cover the entire segment. You get 50 miles of leeway. |
| 55k+ |
bmi -Once a BD*G has achieved 55,000 status miles additional miles are converted to destination miles to maximum of 250,000 miles. |
| 744 |
747-400 |
| 7xx |
Boeing |
| A |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| A&M |
Avios & Money (formerly known as Part Cash Part Miles) |
| A3 |
Aegean Airlines |
| AA |
American Airlines |
| Aangels |
complimentary term for Admirals Club agents |
| AATMS |
Advanced Air Traffic Management System |
| AC |
Air Canada OR Aircraft (also Heavy AC Very large aircraft, such as the 747, 767 and 777) OR Admiral's Club (American Airlines) |
| ACARS |
Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System |
| ACAS |
Airborne Collision Avoidance System |
| ACCRUAL |
The accumulation of frequent traveler program miles and points through actual travel, partner bonuses and special promotions. |
| ACMI |
Aircraft lease with Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance |
| ACTUAL MILES |
The physical distance that a flight covers. When calculating actual miles, class of service, elite-level status and other bonuses are not included. To view the airmile distance between airports, visit http |
| AD |
Airworthiness Directive, an FAA rule regarding specific aircraft safety issues |
| ADC |
Air Data Computer |
| ADS |
Automatic Dependant Surveillance, advanced GPS based navigation system |
| ADT |
Adult Passenger |
| AF |
Air France |
| AFAIK |
Internet lingo meaning "As Far As I Know" |
| AFFINITY CARD |
Credit or charge cards in partnership with a particular airline or hotel frequent travel program. Charges to the card earn miles or points, which either accrue directly into the associated program or can be transferred into it. |
| AFS |
American Flagship Service |
| aft |
rear of aircraft |
| AFTN |
Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network |
| AG |
AAdvantage Gold (also GLD) |
| AGR |
Amtrak Guest Rewards |
| AHRS |
Attitude and Heading Reference Systems |
| AIRPORT ACCESS FEE |
The fee paid to an airport by a car rental company for the privilege of operating its vans and buses within the airport facilities. This fee is usually passed on to the renter. |
| AIRPORT CODE |
A three-letter code used to identify an airport. Example DEN = Denver International Airport. |
| Airport Code |
Can be IATA 3 letter code or 4 letter ICAO code (Rome Da Vinci International Airport at Fiumicino is both FCO and LIRF. ICAO codes are used by air traffic control and for airports that do not have 3 letter IATA codes (used by airlines and most FlyerTalkers) |
| AIT |
Advanced Imaging Technology. Used instead of the older term "WBI" because too many people realized that "whole body imaging" meant they could see your whole body. |
| ALLIANCE |
A group of airlines that allow frequent flyer program members to earn miles or points and enjoy special benefits when flying with any participating airline. The miles or points can, in turn, be used for an award ticket on any of the alliance airlines. |
| AM |
Aeromexico |
| Amadeus |
Ticketing IT system used by bmi and many others |
| AMENITY KIT |
The small toiletry packs most airlines offer International Business and First Class passengers. |
| American Eagle |
Provides regional jet service on the West Coast with Los Angeles as its “hub” for Delta Air Lines. |
| ANA |
All Nippon Airways |
| ANA Tool |
ANA's FFP website which allows you to check reward inventory for most *A airlines (detail & guide) |
| AONE |
oneworld explorer ticket in First |
| AOR |
for app-o-rama, which is applying for a bunch of card offers in a short burst of time or "app-o-rama" spelled out. |
| APEX |
Advance Purchase Excursion fares, usually the lowest available. Must be purchased in advance (usually 7-30 days) and include stay restrictions. |
| APOLLO |
Electronic reservations system used by many airlines and travel agents. |
| AQ |
Aloha Airlines |
| ARINC |
Aeronautical Radio, Inc. |
| ARTCC |
Air Route Traffic Control Center (Area Control Centre outside of USA) |
| AS |
Alaska Airlines |
| ASA |
Atlantic Southeast Airlines. |
| ASM |
Available Seat Mile |
| ASR |
Advance Seat Reservation / Airport Surveillance Radar |
| ATB |
Automated ticket/boarding pass. An electronically generated ticket which also includes the boarding pass. |
| ATC |
Air Traffic Control |
| ATI |
Anti-Trust Immunity |
| Atlantic Southeast Airlines |
An Atlanta-based regional subsidiary of Delta Air Lines once wholly owned by Delta Air Lines. |
| ATO |
Airport Ticket Office |
| ATPCO |
Airline Tariff Publishing Company |
| AUCTION |
An award sale through which program members use their miles to bid against each other for a one-time only award that often involves attending special events or meeting famous people. |
| AVIATION TRUST FUND |
A federal reserve of tax monies levied on airline tickets and operations and set aside to improve the U.S. air transportation system. |
| AVML |
Asian/Hindu vegetarian: a meat-free, spicy meal. Does not contain fish, shellfish, meat, poultry or eggs, available on all BA longhaul flights and short route in business class |
| AVOD |
Audio and Video On Demand |
| AWARD |
Free airline ticket, hotel stay or night, car rental, merchandise, traveler's check or gift certificate. Depending on the program, awards may be tickets or certificates that must be redeemed at ticket counters, hotel front desks, car rental desks or specific merchandise outlets. The latest form of award redemption is through program Web sites. |
| AY |
Finnair |
| AZ |
Alitalia |
| B |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| B+ |
bmi Diamond Club Blue Plus |
| B, M, & K |
Fare Basis codes |
| B6 |
Jetblue Airways |
| BA |
British Airways |
| Back-to-back ticketing |
See: "Nested ticketing" |
| BAEC |
British Airways Executive Club |
| BAHT RUN |
Originally this term referred to a specific mileage run opportunity in Thailand. Over time though, it's meaning has expanded, and now some people use Baht Run when referring to any exceptionally valuable and efficient mileage run opportunity. |
| Base Miles |
See "BIS" - miles flown and upon which your MM, EQ, bonus etc. miles are calculated |
| BB |
Blue Bird |
| BC |
Business Class |
| BD |
British Midland |
| BDO |
Behavior Detection Officer aka SPOTnik |
| BE |
Business Elite; often used to distinguish between true Business Class service and domestic flights coded as Business (which are really standard domestic FC service, but are marketed as Business because they are a continuation of an int'l flight) |
| BETWEEN (vs. TO/FROM) |
In determining routing for accrual or award travel, "between" indicates that travel may originate on either end of a route. For example, a roundtrip award that allows travel between Mexico and the U.S. means that travel can originate in either the U.S. or Mexico. Conversely, roundtrip travel to Mexico from the U.S. means that travel is restricted and must originate and terminate in the U.S. |
| BIS |
Butt in Seat. Butt-In-Seat Miles refers to miles that you actually fly in a seat on a given trip, compared to miles that you earn for flying with added elite bonuses, promotions, or other various modifiers to the flight mileage. |
| bistro bag |
coach bag lunches retrieved from carts upon boarding (obsolete) |
| BizElite |
Business Elite |
| BK |
Holds confirmed teletype. Sent only if canceled. |
| BL |
Holds waitlist teletype. Sent only if canceled. |
| BLACKOUT DATES |
Certain days during high-traffic seasons and holidays when airline and hotel-award travel is restricted or not available. Introduced in 1989, blackout dates help protect travel dates when the airlines have the most revenue to gain. For instance, blackout dates for some international partners extend all summer long. |
| BlingAir |
What some people on the BA board call Emirates |
| BMED |
Refers to aircraft that bmi inherited after the buyout of BMED (former BA franchisee) |
| Board Room |
Alaska Airlines Membership Airport Lounge |
| BOARDING PASS |
Authorization to board a plane; often required as proof of flight taken when claiming missing credit. |
| BOB |
Meals and snacks that you may Buy On Board |
| BOGO / BOGOF |
Buy One Get One Free |
| BONUS |
Miles accrued in excess of the actual mileage, which can include special promotions, class of service and elite-level allocations of extra miles. |
| booking / fare class |
inventory class into which a reservation is booked |
| BP |
Boarding Pass |
| BR |
EVA Airways |
| BRG |
Best Rate Guarantee |
| BRT |
The long running "Brooklyn Reality Tour." Local neighborhood guide and friend of all frequent flyers, dhammer53, has hosted this almost annual event to the haunts of his youth in the Brooklyn neighborhoods. From Coney Island to the frequent stops for local foods and deserts, this has always been popular when offered. |
| BSO |
Baggage Service Operations |
| BT |
Bulk Ticket |
| BTW |
Internet lingo meaning "By The Way" |
| BULKHEAD SEATS |
A bulkhead is a dividing wall in an airplane that separates one section from another. The bulkhead seats are those placed immediately behind this divider. Bulkhead seats generally provide added legroom, but they also tend to offer less storage capacity, as there is no seat in front under which carryon luggage can be stowed. |
| BUMPING |
On full flights, the practice of removing a confirmed passenger to make room for a passenger with higher priority. |
| Business First |
A standard domestic first class cabin which is marketed as business class because it is either a continuation of an international flight, or a flight to nearby countries. |
| BUSINESS RENTAL |
When a traveler pays corporate rates for a car rental, and thereby accrues a different amount of miles than for a leisure rate. |
| BW |
BWIA West Indies Airways |
| BXR |
Backscatter X-Ray. An electronic strip search machine that gives off more radiation than MMW. |
| C |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| C&M |
Cash & Miles (Mileage Redemption) |
| C01 – C17 |
Child passenger and age code |
| C1 |
CapitalOne or Capital One |
| CA |
Air China |
| CAPACITY CONTROLS |
The process airlines, hotels and car rental agencies use to allocate awards depending on actual vs. anticipated demand. Capacity controls are intended to control the economics of frequent flyer programs. |
| CAS |
Crew Alerting System (in aircraft cockpit) |
| CASM |
Cost per Available Seat Mile |
| CATSA |
Canadian Air Transport Security Authority |
| CB |
Cumulonimbus clouds |
| CBP |
Customs and Border Protection. Border patrol and customs/immigration officers at ports of entry. |
| CC |
Credit Card |
| CCR |
Concorde Room |
| CE |
Club Europe (Short haul business class) |
| CERTIFICATE |
An award voucher, which a member must present to the redeeming company, such as a car rental company or hotel, or must exchange for an airline ticket. |
| CFC |
Same Day Confirmed Flight Change |
| Chautauqua Airlines |
An Orlando-based regional subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. |
| Cheatline |
the colored line often extending down the fuselage or an aircraft |
| CHECK-IN |
To confirm intent to board a previously booked flight by showing a ticket to an airline representative either at the ticket counter, curbside baggage check-in or departure gate. |
| Churn |
Refers to applying for a given credit card repeatedly to get the same sign-up bonus multiple times, or to applying for different credit cards one after another to get sign-up bonuses that add up. By extension, it could also mean doing anything that earns points/miles repeatedly. |
| CI |
China Airlines |
| CIP |
Cabin Improvement Program (Refitting an aircraft cabin with updated seats, etc.) |
| CIR |
Circle Pacific, class precedes, MPM follows, e.g. DCIR22 |
| Circle Pacific |
a discounted oneworld product allowing that routing |
| City Pairs |
Airports considered the same for fare construction purposes |
| CL |
Credit Limit |
| CLASS OF SERVICE BONUS |
Many airlines add 50% or 100% or more extra miles to your account when flying in paid Business or First Class. |
| CLASS OF SERVICE/TRAVEL |
Usually refers to airline travel; indicates the level of travel, size of seat and surrounding area, cabin position and amenities offered. Generally first class (F), business class (C) and coach (Y). |
| CLI |
Credit Limit Increase |
| CMT |
Check My Trip |
| CO |
Continental Airlines |
| Co-terminals |
Airports considered the same for standby and similar procedures |
| COBRANDED CARD |
See AFFINITY CARD. |
| CoC |
Contract of Carriage |
| COCB |
Carry Over Carry Back |
| CODESHARING |
When one airline provides connecting service under another carrier's name. Both airlines' codes appear in reservation systems and on tickets. Codeshare flights often accrue mileage. |
| Comair |
British Airlines franchisee based in South Africa |
| COMBINING MILES |
See POOLING. |
| COMMON CARRIER |
Any company engaged in the transport of people or goods for profit. |
| COMPANION TICKET |
A free or discounted ticket for another person flying with a traveler who has purchased a ticket. |
| ConciergeKey / CK |
Invitation-only premium service for the most valued AA customers |
| CONFIRMATION |
An oral or written acknowledgment of a booking, subject to certain conditions. |
| CONFIRMED UPGRADE |
Guarantees an upgrade to a higher class of service prior to travel. |
| CONGA LINE |
A Conga Line is a thread in which members help each other by lending their referrals for a select promotion. Most promotions that offer a bonus for referring a friend will have a corresponding Conga Line thread. |
| CONNECTION |
Changing to a different airplane en route to the final destination. Actual mileage, connection bonuses and segment promotion credits are earned only if the connecting flight number is different from the originating flight number. |
| CONSOLIDATED MILEAGE MANAGERS |
A service provided by a variety of travel- and financial-related Internet companies whereby miles and points accrued in several programs are listed in one account statement. |
| CONUS |
Continental United States (contiguous 48 states) |
| COS |
Class Of Service (referring to cabin service class) |
| COS |
Customer Of Size a.k.a. Person Of Size |
| CP |
Companion Pass |
| CP or C/P |
Security Checkpoint |
| CPM |
Cost Per Mile |
| CPMQM |
"Cost per MQM" or "Cents per MQM", used by mileage runners to determine how good of a deal a Mileage Run is. |
| CPU |
Complementary Premier Upgrades |
| CR |
Credit Report |
| CR-1 |
United's confirmable North American upgrade certificates, good for travel within the 49 United States, the Caribbean, Canada or Mexico. This upgrade is not valid on flights to/from Hawaii, except when member is a resident of Hawaii. You may use Confirmed Systemwide Upgrades anywhere United flies. |
| CR7/CR9 |
Larger Canadair Regional Jets that have F cabins |
| CRC |
Crown Room Club -- the airport lounge program for Delta Air Lines. |
| CRJ |
Canadair Regional Jet |
| CRM |
Crew Resource Management / Cockpit Resource Management (cockpit crew collaboration process) |
| CRS |
A Computerized Reservation System. It is any of several proprietary computer systems allowing real-time access to airline fares, schedules, and seating availability and offering the capability of booking reservations and generating tickets. |
| CS |
Short for Customer Service. Add an "A" or an "R" and you've got Customer Service Agent or Customer Service Rep. |
| CS25 / CS 50 / etc. |
Discount certificates (Type A) that are given to customers as a customer service. |
| CSA |
Customer Service Agent |
| CSD |
Cabin Service Director |
| CSM |
Cabin Service Manager |
| CSR |
Customer Service Representative |
| CTOs |
Acronym for City Ticket Office. These ticketing offices for airlines are not located at airports and are not directly associated with a travel agency. They are directly sponsored by the airline itself. |
| CW |
Club Word (Long haul business class) |
| CX |
Cathay Pacific Airways |
| CZ |
China Southern Airlines |
| D |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| DAL |
Some FlyerTalk members refer to Delta Air Lines based on the official New York Stock Exchange ticker symbol assigned to its stock. |
| DBC |
Denied Boarding Compensation |
| DBML |
Diabetic Meal (not available on all flights) |
| DC |
Diamond club |
| DC9 |
McDonnell Douglas DC-9 |
| DELFT HOUSES |
Small Bols filled Delft pottery row houses offered by KLM to International business passengers since 1952. There are 83 in the set. KLM has an active trading mart for these on their website. |
| Deltalina |
Katherine Lee, the flight attendent in the safety video |
| DEQM |
Double Elite Qualifying Miles - A UA promotion where double the usual number of EQMs are awarded. |
| DEQS |
Elite Qualifying Segments - A UA promotion where double the usual number of EQSs are awarded. |
| DFS |
Duty Free Shopping (also name of global duty free shops chain) |
| DFSD |
Deputy Federal Security Director |
| DHG |
Diamond Hat Guy |
| DHS |
Department of Homeland Security (U.S.) |
| DIRECT FLIGHT |
This is a tricky one. The term "direct flight" can actually be applied to any routing that maintains the same flight number throughout the entire course of the routing, even if the routing contains enroute stops or requires a change of airplane. Strange but true. |
| Direct Flight |
A flight that is sold as A->C but in reality is A->B B->C. Buyer beware! |
| DJ |
Virgin Blue |
| DL |
Delta Air Lines |
| DM |
Delta Diamond medallion, for members with at least 125,000 MQM's or 140 segments |
| DM |
Departure Management Waitlist. Generally goes into effect around four hours before flight departure. All folks still on the PA/PB/PD waitlist are put on the DM and sorted by status, then fare basis, and then time added. As you check-in, you are formally added to the DM, so checking in earlier is better. |
| DM List |
Departure Management list. Used by airlines at gate to determine and allocate upgrades. |
| DO (or DOO) |
A widely used term for large get togethers/parties/meetups. In general the term is reserved for larger gatherings of 12 of more members. |
| DONE |
Oneworld explorer ticket in Business |
| Donington |
bmi HQ, Donington, Derbyshire, England |
| DOT |
Department of Transportation (U.S.) |
| DOUBLE DIP |
When a partner hotel stay or flight accrues miles or points into a member's accounts with both partners. |
| Double upgrade |
The rare occurence where you are booked in Y, and find a way to upgrade to C and then again (almost always via op-up) to F/P. A rare but happy occurrence! |
| Downgrade |
When a passenger who was upgraded is told that they are no longer upgraded (or they find out at the gate about it) because of either a plane switch (so less upgradable seats) or other factors. Affected passengers are due a downgrade kit, and the contents of this can be searched out on FT as well. |
| DP |
Data Point |
| Drink Chits |
A coupon valid for one free (or prepaid) alcoholic beverage on that airline's flight. In the case of United Airlines, the coupon may be valid in a Red Carpet Club airport lounge instead of during a flight. |
| DS |
Deferred segment, open segment. No message sent. |
| DSR |
PALL List code for passenger desiring to purchase next higher class of service |
| DXB |
Airport code for Dubai International Airport |
| DYKWIA |
Acronym - Do/Don't You Know Who I Am? |
| DYKWIA |
Do You Know Who I Am? |
| DYWTFT |
"Do you want to fly today?" |
| E |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| E+ |
United's "Economy Plus" |
| E- |
The remainder of the United Economy section after E+ rows |
| E-FARE |
A specialty discount fare offered exclusively through the Internet; usually does not accrue miles. To view a consolidated list of these types of fares from the major airlines, |
| e-Gate |
Dubai Airports fast track immigration facility for Skywards Gold and Silver card holders. Free for Gold card holders, 5,000 mile cost to Silvers. Linked to your frequent flyer card. |
| E-TICKET |
A "paperless" ticket which is processed electronically; often through an Internet purchase. |
| EARN/BURN |
Slang for mileage accrual and redemption. |
| EBP |
Exclusive to the SAS EuroBonus program, this is short for EuroBonus Pandion, the highest level elite. |
| EC |
Economy Comfort |
| ECAM |
Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor, same as EICAS, preferred Airbus version |
| eCredit |
Residual value of a non-refundable ticket that is cancelled. Can be applied towards purchase of another ticket for the same passenger. |
| EDCT (FAA) |
Estimated Departure Clearance Time |
| EEO |
Specific to the Marriott Rewards program - Electronic Elite Offer or Elite Exclusive offers |
| EF |
ExpertFlyer |
| EFIS |
Electronic Flight Instrument System |
| EI |
Aer Lingus |
| EICAS |
Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (heart of the "glass cockpit") same as ECAM |
| EK |
Emirates |
| ELECTRONIC UPGRADES (EGR) |
"Paperless" upgrades transacted solely through computers. |
| ELITE LEVEL |
Additional benefits for members attaining thresholds of accrued miles or points. Elite-level membership usually allows travelers to accrue miles or points faster, provides special perks and grants special airplane seating or hotel accommodations. |
| ELITE-LEVEL BONUS |
Miles earned in addition to actual mileage as a benefit of being an elite-level member. |
| ELITE-LEVEL UPGRADE |
Upgrade to higher class of service available through membership in an elite level of a program. |
| EMB |
Embraer |
| Emerald |
Oneworld status tier - the highest tier positioned above Sapphire and Ruby |
| EMPLOYEE CLASS |
Ironic term used by some fliers for First and Business class cabins. |
| EMR |
Electromagnetic Radiation; some people suspect EMR is harmful at high altitudes; a controversial subject |
| ENHANCED |
A term used in a derisory fashion for benefits REMOVED by an airline, dressed up in a PR spin as an "enhancement" to the program. |
| ENROLLMENT BONUS |
A specific amount of miles awarded upon first becoming a member of a program. |
| EOS |
End Of Service |
| EP |
AAdvantage Executive Platinum (also EXP) |
| EQM |
Elite Qualifying Miles - Many programs allow members to earn miles from a variety of activities, but generally, only miles earned through designated activities count toward the achievement of elite status. See also "Q Miles" and "Status Miles". |
| EQP |
Elite Qualifying Point (alternative point credit used to determine elite status) |
| EQS |
Elite Qualifying Segment (alternative flight segment credit used to determine elite status) |
| ERJ |
Embraer Regional Jet - Plane Manufacturer - bmi has the ERJ-135 & 145 |
| ETA |
Estimated Time of Arrival |
| ETD |
Estimated Time of Departure |
| ETD |
Explosive Trace Detection (aka "sniffer") |
| ETOPS |
Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards |
| ETP |
Explosive Trace Portal (aka "puffer") |
| EUA |
Continental and Northwest's Elite Upgrade Automation, which automatically upgrades elites to first class if seats are available. |
| EUG |
Electronic upgrades. |
| eUPG |
Electronic Upgrade |
| EVIP |
Refers to one-way, systemwide upgrades given to AA Executive Platinum elites. Eight such upgrades are "given" upon reaching Executive Platinum status. |
| ex- |
A prefix (e.g. ex-ORD) indicating the airport or city a passenger originally departed from. |
| Ex-Gulf/Asiana |
The “uncomfortable” version of the international Boeing 763ER aircraft. |
| EXP |
Executive Platinum on American AAdvantage. |
| EXP line |
Dedicated help desk for Executive Platinum flyers |
| EXPEDITED AWARDS |
Service offered by many programs for an additional cost; expedited awards allow members to accelerate processing and delivery of award tickets or certificates. Often the requested award is delivered within 24 hours. |
| Exxx |
Embraer |
| F |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| F9 |
Frontier Airlines |
| FA |
Flight Attendant |
| FAA |
Federal Aviation Administration (U.S.) |
| FAM |
Federal Air Marshall |
| FAMS |
Federal Air Marshal Service |
| FARE BASIS |
Determines how many miles or points are earned based on the fare paid. For example, to accumulate mileage on some airlines, you must pay a published full-fare rate; some programs do not award miles for highly discounted fares. Some hotels require that you pay corporate rates or higher to accrue points. |
| FARs |
Federal Aviation Regulations, frequently cited by FAs (and not always accurately) |
| FB |
Freedom Baggie aka Kippie Bag, Kip Zips, Kip Quart Baggie, Kip Kwarts, etc. after Kip Hawley of KHIAI |
| FBL |
Fly By Light (fiber optic) flight controls |
| FBW |
Fly By Wire flight controls |
| FC |
FareCompare. First Class. Also an abbreviation used for Flying Colonel. |
| FCC |
Usually, Flight Connections Centre at London Heathrow Airport |
| FCM |
First Class Monetization (especially pertinent to Delta) |
| FCT |
Specific to Lufthansa, it refers to the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt. |
| FD |
Family Dollar ; Fuel Dumping |
| FEBO |
Front, Even; Back, Odd. Refers to how meal orders are SUPPOSED to be taken in premium classes. On even numbered flights, the FA(s) should start at the front of the cabin, and on odd numbered flights, |
| FF |
Frequent Flyer. Also VFF, a Very Frequent Flyer. |
| FFCC |
Applies to day of flight and when travelling on a First Class ticket (revenue or award), but holding a Business Class seat (due to no F seats in your booking class being available), folks on this list have priority to be assigned any available seats. |
| FFDO |
Federal Flight Deck Officer. An armed Pilot or First Officer. |
| FFP |
Frequent Flyer Program |
| FFS |
Food for Sale program in American Airlines domestic Coach |
| FHR |
the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts benefit program available with Centurion and Platinum charge cards |
| FI |
Icelandair |
| FIM |
Flight Interruption Manifest |
| FIR |
Flight Information Region (used in air traffic control) |
| FL |
AirTran Airways |
| FL |
Flagship Lounge (or Flagship, contextual) |
| FLIFO |
Flight Info FlyerTalk Wiki entry |
| Flounge |
First Lounge or Galleries First lounge |
| Flow |
Program administered by ATC/ARTCC/FAA in order to regulate lower numbers of arrivals or departures to an airport. Issued on a airport specific basis generally for declining weather or for [expected] traffic congestion but may also extend after adverse whether due to aircraft logjam. Synonimus with "GDP". Also see "Ground Stop" |
| FM |
Shanghai Airlines |
| FO |
First Officer/Co-Pilot. Alternatively, Delta Silver Medallion, for members with at least 25,000 MQM's or 30 segments (this status was formerly called "Flying Orchid") |
| FOC |
This dreaded disease is considered contagious by members of frequent flyer programs who choose to redeem their miles and benefits for upgrades rather than free awards. The disease is FOC -- Fear of Coach. |
| FOP |
Form Of Payment |
| Forward |
Front of aircraft |
| FOS |
Flight Operations Systems |
| FOUO |
For Official Use Only. Another variety of unclassified but not for public information. |
| FQTR |
Frequent Traveler Redemption (on BA) |
| FQTU |
Frequent Traveler automated cabin upgrade request |
| FQTV |
Frequent Traveler (on BA) |
| FR |
Financial Review |
| FREQUENT BUYERS |
Frequent-traveler program members who earn most of their miles or points from credit card purchases or partner services as opposed to flying. |
| FS |
Four Seasons Hotel chain |
| FS |
FlightStats |
| FSD |
Federal Security Director |
| FT |
FlyerTalk |
| Fter |
A member of Flyer Talk |
| FTL |
Lufthansa Frequent Traveller (*S) |
| FULL FOLIO |
When a hotel program awards miles based on the amount spent for all hotel charges, including room service, gift shop purchases and like expenses. |
| FWIW |
Internet lingo meaning "For What It's Worth" |
| G |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| GA |
Gate Agent |
| Galileo |
Electronic reservations system used by many airlines and travel agents. |
| Gate Lice |
Passengers with low boarding priority who crowd the gate area before being called |
| GATEWAY AIRPORTS |
Domestic airports that are origination points for foreign destinations. |
| GAYLA |
A term coined by GLBT forum users for a GLBT led meetup. They are open to all, just started by the GLBT folks. |
| GC |
Galleries Club lounge |
| GCC |
Gulf Co-operation Council, a political and economic union of the Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf and located on or near the Arabian Peninsula |
| GCH |
Gold Card Holder |
| GDP |
Ground Delay Program - Program administered by ATC/ARTCC/FAA in order to regulate lower numbers of arrivals or departures to an airport. Issued on a airport specific basis generally for declining weather or for [expected] traffic congestion but may also extend after adverse whether due to aircraft logjam. Synonimus with "Flow". Also see "Ground Stop" |
| GDS |
Global Distribution Systems (airline ticketing systems) |
| GEX |
Gatwick Express |
| GF |
Global First |
| GFML |
Gluten-Free Meal (not available on all flights) |
| GGL |
Gold Guest List |
| Ghost destinations |
Nonexistent airports, e.g. for gate passes, including HDQ (AA-ville) and FSG (Sabre-ville) |
| GIDS |
Gate Information Display System |
| GK |
Global Services 1K - A UGS member who has also qualified for 1K status. Also - Holds confirmed. No teletype sent. |
| GL |
Holds waitlist. No teletype sent. |
| GLBT |
Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender |
| GLD |
AAdvantage Gold (mainly used on FlyerTalk; also AG) |
| GLON(2) |
An award valid for a six-night free stay in any Hilton HHonors family hotel [except Category 6 hotels, which require a GLONP(2).] |
| GLONP(2) |
An award valid for a six-night free stay at a Category 6 Hilton HHonors family hotel. |
| GM |
Delta Gold medallion, for members with at least 50,000 MQM's or 60 segments |
| GMT |
Greenwich Mean Time, used for some airline and military operations (see UTC, Zulu Time) |
| Gogo |
Inflight wi-fi provider available on certain aircraft |
| Gold line |
Phone number for GLD elite members placing them higher in the queue to reach an AA customer service representative (not a separate desk) |
| Gold Medallion |
The lower-middle Elite status level of the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program. |
| GP |
Gold Passport, the Hyatt frequent stay program. |
| GP |
Global Services Premier Exec who has also qualified for 1P status |
| GPR |
Gold Priority Reward |
| GPS |
Global Positioning System (satellite based navigation system) |
| GPU |
Global Premier Upgrade - Formerly known as SWU |
| Ground Stop |
No aircraft permitted into or out of airport. Almost always due to severe weather but could be temporarily shorter due to aircraft incident or accident or VIP-stuff [like POTUS]. ATC generally proceeds from Ground Stop to Flow/GDP to nothing "no program". |
| GS |
Global Services |
| GSC |
Ground Security Coordinator. Airline employee responsible for security in their area. |
| GTEM |
Going The Extra Mile - The title of a card that (some) MP members are issued to present to UA employees for exemplary service. |
| GTF |
Geared Turbo-Fan (e.g. Pratt & Whitney PW1000G) |
| GUC |
Global Upgrade Certificate |
| GUF2 |
Gold Upgrade For Two voucher |
| GUV |
Gold Upgrade Voucher (Single class upgrade voucher. 4 awarded to BD*G each year) |
| GV x |
Passengers must travel together, x = number of pax |
| H |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| HA |
Hawaiian Air Lines |
| Hardstand |
Common lingo used for aircraft and other heavy equipment that are parked for long periods. They have to park them on a "hardstand" which is an area with heavy reinforced pavement or concrete. Due to the weight of large aircraft they can't leave them on weaker asphalt or dirt areas for long periods of time. Usually a large concrete pad area. |
| HBO |
Hand baggage only |
| HCon |
Heathrow Connect |
| Heavy |
Larger aircraft (767, 777, 747, A330, A340, A380), also used by ATC for the 757 due to its wake turbulence and suffix to airline call signs that indicate such i.e., "American 1 Heavy" |
| HEX |
Heathrow Express |
| HHA |
House Hold Account |
| HHMD |
Hand-Held Metal Detector |
| HHOK |
Internet lingo meaning "Ha Ha Only Kidding" |
| Hidden city ticketing |
Booking itineraries with one or more connections and intentionally skipping final flight to achieve cost savings |
| HK |
Holds confirmed. |
| HK49s |
(note HK49s have been replaced by electronic CR-1s) -- United's confirmable North American upgrade certificates, good for travel within the 49 United States, the Caribbean, Canada or Mexico. This upgrade is not valid on flights to/from Hawaii, except when member is a resident of Hawaii. You may use Confirmed Systemwide Upgrades anywhere United flies. |
| HL |
Holds waitlist. |
| HN |
Have need on request. |
| HO |
Head Office (Donington Hall). Has also been used to describe members after DO's (Flyertalk Member Gatherings) |
| HoKeY |
Widely used term by CO fliers. These are the 3 coach fare codes that allow upgrades. |
| HOM |
House of Miles. This is the conceptual home of such travel ideas as FlyerTalk, BoardingArea, InsideFlyer magazine, milepoint and more. The address? 1930 Frequent Flyer Point, Colorado Springs, CO 80915. |
| HON |
Lufthansa HON Circle (*G with knobs on) |
| HOOU |
HOOU Have One On Us coupons, good for a free beverage on board. |
| HP |
America West Airlines |
| HS |
Sold. |
| HUACA |
Hang Up And Call Again |
| HUB |
Central airport where planes converge to transfer passengers; usually controlled by one or two airlines. |
| HUD |
Head-Up Display |
| HWMBO |
He who must be obeyed, i.e., significant other |
| HX |
Cancelled. |
| HYBRID CLASS |
A specialized class of service through which first-class service is provided for business-class fares. |
| HYDRAULIC |
good old hydraulic flight controls |
| I |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| i/O |
Invitation Only – EK’s most elite level, supposedly less than 250 members globally, and access is by invitation only. Entry requirements not published, but supposedly 50 sectors in F within 12-months. Membership valid for 2-years. No rules apply and each member has a personalised and dedicated toll-free number. |
| IANAL |
I Am Not A Lawyer |
| IAS |
Indicated Air Speed (in knots) |
| IATA |
International Air Transport Association (airlines' association, issue many pertinent rules) |
| IB |
Iberia Airlines |
| ICAO |
International Civil Aviation Organization (regulates international air travel) |
| ICC |
International/Indian Call Centre (aka Pune/India) |
| ICE |
EK’s award winning inflight entertainment system (Information, Communications & Entertainment) |
| ICE |
Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Investigative unit of Immigration and Customs. |
| ICE Digital |
New widescreen version of ICE, with enhanced user interface |
| ID |
Identification |
| IDB |
Involuntarily Denied Boarding. Airline offers cash consolation. |
| IFE |
In Flight Entertainment |
| IFL |
International First Class Lounge |
| IFR |
Procedures for flying in IMC. |
| IFS |
International Flagship Service |
| IFSD |
In Flight Shut Down (usually relating to an engine) |
| IIRC |
Internet lingo meaning "If I Recall Correctly" |
| IJAIBB |
Internet lingo meaning "Its just another internet Bulletin Board". |
| IK |
Infant confirmed. |
| ILS |
Instrument Landing System (bad weather) |
| IM |
Inventory Management |
| IMC |
Instrument Meteorological Conditions |
| IME |
In My Experience |
| IMO |
Internet lingo meaning "In My Opinion." Sometimes expanded to IMHO -- "In My Humble Opinion." |
| IN |
If not holding, need. Passenger may already be holding space. Check for dupe reservation. |
| IN CONJUNCTION WITH |
The restriction which hotels and car rental agencies apply when awarding miles. For example, to accumulate Mexicana Frecuenta mileage for a stay at a Camino Real hotel, you must show your Mexicana boarding pass as proof of a flight within a certain time period (usually 24 hours) of the stay. |
| INCENTIVE MILES |
Miles purchased from an airline program by a company to be given to employees or customers as rewards. |
| INSPass |
A pre-applied for approved pass allowing expedited passage via US Customs and Immigration arrival lines. |
| IRROPS/IROPS |
Short for Irregular Operations, such as equipment change, ATC delay, flight cancellation, etc. How to pronounce? EAR-ROP or EYE-ROP ... speakers choice. |
| IRRRES or IXXRES |
Manual Reissue Desk |
| IS |
If not holding, sold. Passenger may already be holding. Check for dupe reservation. |
| ISIC |
International Student Identity Card (12 or older currently enrolled as a full-time degree-seeking student at an accredited institution) |
| ISP |
In-seat power |
| ITA |
ITAsoftware search engine for airline itineraries (also Anti-Trust Immunity) |
| ITIC |
International Teacher Identity Card (Teaching > 18 hrs / wk at an accredited institution, min 1 yr employment. |
| ITN |
Internet Travel Network. An online resource for booking travel. |
| IYHO |
In Your Humble Opinion |
| IYTC |
International Youth Travel Card (age 12 - 25) |
| J |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| JCB |
(Adult) Contract Bulk passenger |
| JI |
Midway Airlines |
| Jim Wilson |
Human remains traveling in the cargo hold ("Jim Wilson Air Tray" is an air casket) |
| JK |
Spanair |
| JL |
Japan Airlines |
| JM |
Air Jamaica |
| Joanna |
The helpful bmi lurker - Handle:diamond club |
| JP |
Adria Airways |
| JPML |
Japanese Meal (only available to/from Japan) |
| JR |
Aero California |
| K |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| K-UP |
K class instant UpGrade |
| KA |
Dragonair |
| KE |
Korean Air |
| Kettle |
used on FT to describe inexperienced traveler |
| keyword_name |
keyword_description |
| KF |
Blue1 |
| KHIAI |
A one quart zip top plastic bag made by the S. C. Johnson Company, having the magical powers of rendering 3.4 ounces or less quantities of high explosive dihydrogen monoxide into ordinary water as long as the zip top is securely closed. |
| Kiosk |
Self-Service Check-in Machine |
| Kip Hawley/Kip/The Kipster |
The Ex-Administrator of the TSA |
| Kippie Bag |
The magical plastic bag that turns exploding liquids into inert substances. |
| KK |
Now confirmed |
| KL |
KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines |
| KL |
Confirming from waitlist. |
| knot / kt / kn |
unit of speed, one nautical mile per hour (≈1.15 mph) |
| KSML |
Kosher Meal (not available on all flights) |
| KVS |
KVS Availability Tool - A downloadable tool, which provides access to real-time Flight Availability, Award/Upgrade Availability (including Award Availability on AA and all other OneWorld member carriers), Fares, Seat Maps, and more |
| L |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| LA |
IATA code for LATAM |
| LATINPASS |
In 2000, this Latin American airline alliance gained notoriety when it sponsored one of the most lucrative promotions to date. The promotion gave members the opportunity to earn one million miles for a minimal amount of partner usage. Frequent flyers recognized the value of the promotion immediately, and before long, LatinPass was overwhelmed by the number of participants, most of whom were members of the online forum FlyerTalk or had heard of the promotion from FlyerTalk. To this day, LatinPass is synonymous with irresistable, yet error-plagued promotions. |
| LCC |
Low Cost Carrier |
| LEAP |
CFM (GE-SNECMA) Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion high bypass turbofan to be used on the future AA 737 MAX |
| LEFT SEAT |
Pilot a.k.a. Captain |
| LEISURE RENTAL |
When a traveler pays non-corporate rates for a car rental, and thereby earns a different amount of miles than a corporate rate would earn. |
| LEO |
Law Enforcement Officer |
| LFBU |
Load Factor Based Upgrade sold at self-service check-in kiosk |
| LGA |
Liquids, Gels, and Aerosols |
| LH |
Lufthansa Airlines. Also an abbreviation for "long haul". |
| LIFO |
Last In, First Out |
| LINKED ACCOUNTS |
When two members of a program earn miles into the same account or can transfer miles between their two separate accounts; usually involves an affinity card. |
| LL |
Add to waitlist. |
| LO |
Lot Polish Airlines |
| LOL |
Internet lingo meaning "Laugh(ing) Out Loud" |
| LONE |
Oneworld explorer ticket in Coach |
| LP |
Lan Peru |
| LRTC |
Less Room Throughout Coach. Refers to American AAdvantage adding seats back to Coach after removing 'rows' of seats and heralding the extra room with the MRTC (More Room Throughout Coach) marketing campaign. |
| LURKER |
A person who reads forums, but who does not post messages. |
| LUT Fares |
The lowest fare booking classes, which have only recently been admitted to the upgrade lottery — unless you are somebody’s companion, that is. On international flights, the upgrade window opens 12 hours after boarding time. Also known as (S)LUT Fares or .5LUT Fares. |
| LUV |
Used to denote Southwest Airlines / WN |
| LX |
Swiss International Air Lines. |
| LY |
El Al Israel Airlines |
| M |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| M&M |
Miles & More (Lufthansa Group FFP - more commonly known at M&L - Miles & Less! |
| Mag |
Magnetometer, more accurately known as a Walk-Through Metal Detector |
| Mainline |
A reference to aircraft run by United proper rather than the commuter lines. Generally the larger multi-class planes. |
| Matron |
Airline employee, often middle-aged woman, who polices access to business and first class lounges. |
| Mattress Run |
The practice of checking into a hotel or a series of hotels, just to earn status credits and/or points in that hotel chain's frequent lodger program |
| MCE |
Main Cabin Extra (coming soon) some coach rows with extra legroom, sold for an extra fee or allocated to Elites |
| MCLA |
Mexico, Caribbean and Latin America |
| MCO |
Miscellaneous Charges Order, paper issued by the airline for a ticket refund, etc. Not to be confused with MCO, the code for |
| MCT |
Minimum Connection Time |
| MD or Mad Dog |
McDonnell Douglas 88 or 90 |
| MDD |
Modified Double Dip. A method of opening Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred in quick succession to bypass the Chase rule which does not allow holders of any Sapphire card to open another |
| Medallion Qualification Mile |
A unit of measurement used towards the qualification of elite Medallion status for the next year, earned only by actually being a passenger on an aircraft operated by Delta Air Lines or its partners, by using an approved credit card, or by special promotions. |
| Medallion Qualification Segment |
A unit of measurement used towards the qualification of elite Medallion status for the next year, earned only by actually being a passenger on an aircraft operated by Delta Air Lines or its partners. |
| MEL |
Minimum Equipment List (list of equipment allowed inoperative not affecting flight safety) |
| MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES |
Special privileges granted by airlines and hotels to members of frequent travel programs. For example, hotels may offer discounted rates or free nights to program members for a limited time. |
| METAL |
Refers to aircraft (thus metal) of the airline you are flying. (i.e., Delta metal, American metal, etc...). |
| MFU |
Miles For Upgrade (now referred to as Upgrade Using Avios) |
| MH |
Malaysia Airlines |
| MHC |
Mile High Club |
| MHD |
Mexican Hat Dance, a type of mileage run between Canada and Mexico |
| MIB |
Merchandise in Baggage |
| Midcon |
Flight that flies mid-continent, e.g. ORD-JFK or DFW-LAX |
| MIL |
Military Passenger |
| MILEAGE JUNKIE |
A frequent flyer who obsessively accumulates miles and points, and often does not redeem many awards. |
| MILEAGE MANIAC |
See MILEAGE JUNKIE. |
| MILEAGE PURCHASE |
The capability to purchase a certain percentage of miles needed to redeem a specific award. |
| MILEAGE RUN |
A series of flights taken in a very short amount of time, solely for the purpose of accumulating frequent flyer miles, with a blatant disregard for the destinations. |
| Million Miler |
A person who has earned a minimum of 1,000,000 Medallion Qualification Miles. |
| MINIMUM MILEAGE |
Minimum number of miles earned by a program member, regardless of the length of the flight; usually 500 miles. |
| MLL |
Maple Leaf Lounge - Air Canada's network of Elite and VIP airport lounges. |
| MM |
Million Mile Fliers- Not a bona-fide status level. Folks who fly 1,000,000 BIS miles are given permanent 1P status without need to qualify. |
| MMB |
Manage My Booking |
| MMW |
Millimeter Wave portal (aka "electronic strip-search machine") |
| Moat |
Nickname for Security Checkpoint |
| Moat Dragon |
A TSO manning a WTMD, MMW or BSX machine. |
| MOL |
Michael O'Leary |
| MOML |
Moslem Meal / Halal Meal (not available on all flights) |
| MP |
Mileage Plus - United's name for their frequent flyer program |
| MP |
MoneyPak |
| MPM |
Maximum Permitted Mileage. Many tickets especially RTW have a maximum number of miles permitted under the fare. |
| MQD |
Medallian Qualifying Dollars; Delta lingo for minimum spend |
| MQM |
Medallion Qualifier Miles, miles that count towards achievement of Elite status on Delta |
| MQS |
Medallion Qualification Segments, used to determine your qualification for elite status |
| MR |
Mileage Run - A series of flights taken in a very short amount of time, solely for the purpose of accumulating frequent flyer miles, with a blatant disregard for the destinations. |
| MR |
is also used as an abbreviation for American Express Membership Rewards. |
| MR |
Marriott Rewards |
| Mr. Easy Chicken, Easy Chicken, Mr. Chicken |
Various terms for the Easy Check-in kiosks in airports. |
| Mr. Pillows |
A character in a story of unknown veracity who has a seemingly endless supply of pillows available on UA. |
| MRO |
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul |
| MRTC |
American's "More Room Throughout Coach" |
| MS |
Egyptair |
| MS |
Manufactured Spending |
| MSC |
Most Significant Carrier (important for baggage and some ticket issues) |
| MTEU |
Miles Towards Elite Upgrades (for earning 500 mile upgrades, etc.) |
| MTOW |
Maximum Take Off Weight (aircraft) |
| MU |
China Eastern Airlines |
| MUA |
Mileage Upgrade Award (an upgrade award using miles) |
| MX |
Mexicana de Aviacion OR flight canceled/delayed due to mechanical problems |
| MX |
Maintenance |
| N |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| N7 |
National Airlines |
| NA |
Need the segment specified or alternate segment immediately following confirmed segment. |
| NAMU |
North American Upgrade Certificate |
| NCW |
New Club World (Long haul business class) |
| neo or NEO |
New Engine Option, as on the A320-NEO AA has contracted for in the future |
| Nested ticket or itinerary |
Booking an itinerary between two cities and then booking one or more itineraries between the same cities that are "nested" between the original departure and return dates in order to achieve cost savings |
| NextGen |
Next Generation Air Transportation System (GPS Based) scheduled implementation 2012 - 2025 |
| NFC |
Defined as 'Near Field Communication.' Essentially it refers to the "wave and pay" type credit cards as well as other things like chip enabled frequent flyer cards and even baggage tags location. Key to this is that the information exchange needs to be very local 4 cm or 1 1/2 inches to work. |
| NFL |
No Fly List, a List which cannot be properly publicly defined, as the Flyertalk word censors and TOS prevent an accurate description, even in OMNI. |
| NGBC |
Next Generation Business Class |
| NGSA |
Next Generation Single Aisle |
| NH |
All Nippon Airways |
| NLL |
No Lifetime Language. For Amex credit and charge cards. no provision in the terms and conditions limiting applications to once (or other number) per lifetime. |
| NN |
Need. |
| NO |
No action taken. |
| NONSTOP |
A flight that does not stop en route. A nonstop flight is always direct, but a direct flight is not always nonstop. |
| NOOD |
National Opt-Out Day |
| North American Upgrade Certificate |
An upgrade certificate that all SkyMiles Medallion Elite members used to earn after flying 40,000 base miles per calendar year. This certificate no longer exists. |
| NoS |
Nude-o-Scope. A more descriptive, insulting replacement for WBI. |
| NOTAM |
NOTice to AirMen (voice or teletype information of interest to pilots) |
| NOTOC |
Notification to captain |
| NRPS |
Non-Revenue-Producing Space - Generally for UA employees or family flying on a free ticket. This is rather like standby seating. |
| NRPS |
More generally (worldwide) used as a "Non Revenue, Positive Space" ticket in that it allows a confirmed seat to be attached to the ticket, thus avoiding any standby procedures. Used for staff on “Must Travel” itineraries as well as for selected suppliers, vendors, and so on, for business purposes related to the airline itself. [It has this meaning on, at a minimum, DL, AA, AF, KL and VS] |
| NRSA |
Non-revenue space available. Used to describe much unpaid staff travel. |
| NSFU |
Not Suitable For Upgrade |
| NW |
Northwest Airlines |
| NZ |
Air New Zealand |
| O |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| O&D |
Originations & Destinations. |
| O/D |
Origin/Destination |
| O/W |
One Way |
| OA |
Other Airline (AA policies) |
| OAG |
Official Airline Guide |
| OAL |
Other Airline |
| OCONUS |
Outside Continental United States |
| OFF-PEAK TRAVEL |
Travel at a particular time of year when airlines predict a lower demand for seats. This usually excludes the time surrounding major holidays. Airlines designate specific "peak" and "off-peak" dates, and many do not allow award travel during peak times. |
| OH, OHB |
OverHead Bin |
| OIS (FAA) |
Operational Information Systems |
| OK |
CSA - Czech Airlines |
| OLCI |
Online Check In |
| OLCI |
On Line Check In |
| OLTA |
Online Travel Agency |
| OMNI |
Off-topic member forum. Access is granted once the requirements for time in the forum and number of posts are met. |
| ONE-CLASS |
Usually associated with airline- and car-rental upgrades, allowing one level of service upgrade. For example, a one-class airline upgrade is from coach to business class; contrast this with a first-class upgrade, which jumps several classes of service from coach to first. |
| ONE-WAY |
(O/W) An itinerary which does not include a return flight to the point of origination. |
| ONLINE BONUSES |
Miles earned through Internet transactions, whether by purchasing tickets or items or logging activity on a specific Web site. |
| OP |
Original Poster or OnePass |
| OP-UP |
Short for operational upgrade. This is a type of upgrade that is awarded when coach is overbooked and they bump some passengers up to first class if there are any seats open. The pecking order starts with top elite members, etc. |
| OPEN JAW |
A roundtrip ticket that has three or more points of departure/arrival. For example, a routing from Chicago arriving in New York, which returns to Chicago from Boston. Open jaws are often allowed when flying on an award ticket and are often counted as a stopover. |
| OPM |
Other People's Money |
| ORC |
Original Routing Credit (on FlyerTalk) |
| OS |
Austrian Airlines |
| OSH |
FlyerTalk member Official SkyMiles Helper, who has been appointed the only official representative of Delta Air Lines in the Delta forum on FlyerTalk |
| OSO |
Off-Schedule Operations (see IROPS / IRROPS) |
| OT |
Short for "Off Topic" |
| OTA |
Online Travel Agency |
| OTOH |
On The Other Hand |
| OU |
Croatia Airlines |
| OW |
Acronym that stands for the oneworld Alliance. |
| OWE |
Oneworld Explorer (RTW) fare - prefixed with cabin class code, followed by # of continents - e.g. DONE4 |
| OX |
Holds confirmed as alternate. Cancel only if requested segment is available. |
| OZ |
Asiana Airlines |
| P |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| PA |
The Priority A waitlist. Officially for folks using upgrade certificates (SWUs, CR1s, 500-milers, etc). Clears before PB and PD waitlist in a "first on, first off" sequence. |
| PAPER UPGRADES |
Certificates or vouchers that can physically be given to a check-in agent to claim an upgrade. |
| PARTNER |
Two programs joining together to allow members to accrue miles or points in one or both programs. Also may allow members to use accumulated miles or points to redeem awards with the partner. Partners may be accrual partners only, award partners only or both. |
| PAWOB |
Passenger Without Bags |
| PAX |
Short for passenger(s). See also, SLF. |
| PB |
The Priority B waitlist. Officially for folks using MUAs. Clears before PD waitlist in a "first on, first off" sequence. |
| PBM |
International program requiring checked bags are matched to passengers. |
| PC |
Presidents Club - Continental's network of Elite and VIP airport lounges (merged with United to become United Club); Priority Club |
| PC |
Probable Cause (standard that must be met before a LEO can make an arrest) |
| PCPM |
Part Cash Part Miles (now referred to as Avios & Money) |
| PD |
The Priority D waitlist. We don't know what this is, but it clears after PA and PB. |
| PDB |
Pre-Departure Beverage, often alcoholic |
| PE,Y+ |
Premium Economy |
| PED |
Personal Entertainment Device |
| Penalty Box |
Place where planes--generally after ground stop, GDP, or just running late get to wait while their gate opens; may also be used on departures for metering or flow delays. ORD actually has a space officially called the "Penalty Box" [on airport diagrams and a "Scenic Pad"] but used generically as a place somewhere out of ATC's way to bide time. |
| PER NIGHT |
When a hotel program awards miles for each night's accommodation. |
| PER STAY |
When a hotel program awards miles once per visit, whether or not the visit comprises more than one night. |
| PF |
Pilot Flying |
| PFB or PDB |
Pre-flight beverage (or Pre-departure beverage) |
| PFD |
Primary Flight Display or Personal Flotation Device (contextual) |
| PIC |
Pilot In Command |
| PII |
Personally Identifiable Information, aka privacy information. This is information that can be used to identify a specific person from the general population, and also requires special government safeguards and protections. |
| Pilot's Discretion |
Pilot given option of ascent or descent at own leisure. |
| PIN |
Personal Identification Number. Required by many frequent traveler programs to identify members and ensure that miles or points are properly credited. |
| PIREPS |
Pilot Reports |
| pitch |
aircraft angle of rotation about horizontal left-to-right axis or motion about that axis; moves nose up or down |
| PK |
Pakistan International Airlines |
| PL |
AAdvantage Platinum (also PLT) |
| Platinum line |
phone number for PLT elite members placing them higher in the queue to reach an AA customer service representative (not a separate desk) |
| Platinum Medallion |
The upper-middle Elite status level of the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program. |
| Pleb |
bmi diamond club Blue |
| PLH |
Premium Long Haul flight |
| PLT / Plat |
AAdvantage Platinum (mainly on FlyerTalk; also PL) |
| PM |
Delta Platinum Medallion, for members with at least 75,000 MQM's or 100 segments |
| PM Classic |
Platinum Medallion Classic, which is another description coined by Delta forum FlyerTalk members for the time before 2005 when 100,000 Medallion Qualification Miles was required to achieve Platinum Medallion status in the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles frequent flier program. |
| PM Lite |
Platinum Medallion Lite, which is an expression coined by Delta forum FlyerTalk members for Platinum Medallion status in the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles frequent flier program after January 1, 2005 as a result of Delta Air Lines reducing the mileage requirement needed for Platinum Medallion status from 100,000 Medallion Qualification Miles to 75,000 Medallion Qualification Miles beginning January 1, 2005. |
| PMCO |
pre merger Continental |
| PMDL |
Pre-Merger Delta Air Lines, which refers to Delta Air Lines before its merger with Northwest Airlines in 2009. |
| PMNW |
Pre-Merger Northwest Airlines, which refers to Northwest Airlines before it was merged into Delta Air Lines in 2009. |
| PMU |
Delta SkyMiles-related abbreviation for Platinum Medallion Upgrade |
| PMUA |
pre merger United |
| PN |
Pending need, request sent. |
| PNF |
Pilot Not Flying |
| PNR |
Passenger Name Record. Used to record reservation and passenger information. |
| POE |
Port of Entry (land or airport entry into the USA) |
| POINT CEILING |
A limit on the amount of points that can be earned through a specific method, such as an affinity card or a special bonus offer. |
| POOLING (MEMBERS) |
When two members combine miles or points from different accounts to redeem an award. Usually not allowed, but sometimes is permissible for family members or spouses. |
| POOLING (PROGRAMS) |
When a member of two separate programs combines miles or points from both programs to claim an award with either program. |
| port |
left side of aircraft when facing forward. "left" is the preferred aviation terms |
| POS |
person of size |
| POUG |
Proactive Online Up Grade |
| PPR |
"paper," an edit used to assure an op up doesn't automatically draw upgrade instruments, usually used by the GA |
| PQ |
Price Quote |
| PQD |
Premier Qualifying Dollars; United lingo for minimum spend |
| PQR |
Price Quote Request |
| PQRS |
Price Quote Reissue Summary |
| PQS |
Price Quote Summary |
| PR |
Philippine Airlines |
| PRASM |
passenger revenue per available seat mile |
| PRE-REGISTER |
When a program requires a member to notify the program of the member's intent to earn a bonus prior to accrual. For example, if a bonus is offered for flying a specific route, the member must notify the program that the member is flying that itinerary to earn the bonus. If the program is not notified previous to the flight, it will not award the bonus. Often involves a promotion code. For a list of these types of promotions, visit http |
| Prize-winning miles |
AA speak for redeemable miles |
| PROMOTION CODE |
Numbers or letters that must be cited when booking to obtain a special bonus or rate. |
| PS |
Premium Service - a set of planes with an elevated level of service, in contrast with Ted |
| PS |
Positive Space - Generally paying passengers with guaranteed seating but who have no seat assignments. These folks should get seat assignments before those on the standby list. |
| PSS |
Passenger Service System |
| PTA |
Prepaid Ticket Advice |
| PUBLISHED RATES |
The official set of fares that an airline advertises for a certain flight; often, miles will only be accrued on published rates. |
| PUDDING GUY |
David Phillips, a.k.a. "The Pudding Guy," was the first member of FlyerTalk to gain national recognition when he purchased over 12,000 packages of Healthy Choice pudding at .25 cents a pop to earn over a million frequent flyer miles. Now it seems everyone is looking for the next "Pudding Guy" deal. |
| PURCHASED UPGRADES |
An upgrade to a higher class of service that can be obtained by currency. |
| PUTI |
Posting Under The Influence |
| PV |
Propaganda Village. Nickname for TSA's blog after Gijeong-dong on the North Korean side of the DMZ. It looks good from afar and blares propaganda into the South about how great the North is. However, no one lives there except a few caretakers, there's no windows in the buildings, and the whole town was built for show. They also have the largest flag pole in the world to show how great they are. Now substitute Big Catches®, 9/11, no real substance to their security and the constant propaganda coming out of them |
| PV |
Premium Voyageur seats on Air France |
| PYOBP |
Print Your Own Boarding Pass |
| Q |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| Q MILES |
Qualifying miles that count toward reaching Elite status with any airline, i.e. NOT inclusive of any elite or class of service bonus which often are not counted toward Elite level. See also "EQM" and "Status Miles". |
| Q-up |
Discounted "A" fare |
| QANTAS |
Qantas Airways, the Australian national airline. The original name was "Queensland And Northern Territories Aerial Service". |
| QF |
Qantas Airways |
| QR |
Qatar Airways |
| R |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| RACK RATES |
The actual worth of a hotel room, which a company will then offer variations upon, such as corporate, extended stay, tourist and discount rates. |
| RAPC |
A feeling of furious anger when one does not get a promotional mail that everyone else seems to get. |
| RASM |
Revenue per Available Seat Mile |
| RBD |
Reservation booking designator (same as "fare class" - like W, V, Y, etc.) |
| RC |
Regency Club, a.k.a. Hyatt club lounge. |
| RCC |
United's Red Carpet Club. United Mileage Plus elite members can pass time in the Red Carpet Club instead of the standard airport terminal areas. |
| RCHHMP |
Royal Canadian High Horse Mounted Police |
| RDM |
Redeemable miles |
| RECIPROCAL |
When a partnership allows members from both programs to earn miles, redeem miles or do both on the partner airline. |
| Region 1 |
North and Central America, Hawaii, Mexico, and Caribbean |
| Region 2 |
Pretty much everything that's not Region 1 |
| RETROACTIVE CREDIT |
Miles or points awarded to new members who may have flown or stayed previous to enrollment in a program. Requires proof of flight (boarding pass) or proof of stay (hotel receipt). Whether it is permitted and for what time period varies by program. |
| RFS |
Return Flight Saver |
| RG |
Varig |
| RI |
Revenue Involuntary; PALL List code for involuntary standby passenger due to OSO |
| Richard Anderson |
Delta CEO |
| RIGHT SEAT |
Co-Pilot |
| RJ |
Regional Jet (also Royal Jordanian Airlines) |
| RLN |
Record Locator Number |
| RM |
Revenue Management |
| RMA |
Respect Ma Authoratay = Power tripping atitude by persons given more power than they can handle. Commonly displayed by the same TSO one stripers who utter D-Y-W-T-F-T? |
| RO |
Tarom-Romanian Air Transport |
| ROFL / ROTFL |
Rolling On (The) Floor Laughing |
| ROFLMAO |
Internet lingo meaning "Rolling On The Floor Laughing My A$$ Off" |
| Roger |
acknowledgment used in radio communications (e.g., with control tower), confirming receipt of last message |
| ROH |
Run of the House (ROH). Room type to be determined upon your arrival. |
| roll |
Aircraft angle of rotation about longitudinal axis or motion about that axis; tilts wings left or right |
| Rollover Medallion Qualification Miles |
A unique feature of the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles frequent flier loyalty program where a surplus of orphan Medallion Qualification Miles beyond reaching a Medallion level in a given year are “rolled over” towards qualification for elite status for the next year. This benefit is available for Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members. |
| RON |
Remain Over Night |
| ROW |
Roswell Industrial Air Center, NM "the boneyard" where old aircraft go - formerly Walker Air Force Base |
| RPM |
Revenue Passenger Mile |
| RPU |
Delta's "Revenue Protection Unit" |
| RPU |
Regional Premier Upgrades (Related to the 2012 United Mileage Plus program). These upgrades are confirmable as early as time of ticketing on select United, Continental and Copa flights. You may know them currently as Regional Upgrades. A Premier member will earn two Regional Premier Upgrades when they reach 75,000 Premier qualifying miles (PQM) or 90 Premier qualifying segments (PQS), plus two more for each 25,000 PQM or 30 PQS thereafter. - Formerly known as CR1 |
| RR |
Reconfirmed. |
| RS |
Reasonable Suspicion |
| RT |
Round Trip |
| RTW |
Round the World ticket package |
| RTW |
Round The World |
| Ruby |
Oneworld status tier positioned one step above entry level |
| Rule 240 |
Airline's domestic reaccommodation policy (AA: US, Canada, Puerto Rico, USVI) |
| Rule 80 |
Airline's international reaccommodation policy |
| RV |
Revenue Voluntary; PALL List code for voluntary standby passenger |
| S |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| SA |
South African Airways |
| Sabre |
Electronic reservations system used by many airlines and travel agents. |
| SAC |
Special Assistance Coordinator |
| Sapphire |
Oneworld status tier positioned between Ruby and Emerald |
| SATA |
Student Air Travel Association |
| SAW |
Sabiha Gokcen Airport - International Airport in Istanbul (in addition to IST) |
| SBU |
Sensitive But Unclassified. A catch-all TLA for all of the large variety of information that is not for public release but is also not classified. Includes SSI, PII, FOUO, LES and probably some others. |
| SC |
Delta Air Lines Sky Club |
| SC |
UA Confirmed, for Schedule Change |
| SCCM |
Senior Cabin Crew Member |
| SCH |
Silver Card Holder |
| SCNR |
Sorry Could Not Resist |
| sCO |
Subsidiary Continental Airlines (same as PMCO) |
| SDC |
Same-Day Change (or Same-Day Confirmed standby) |
| SDCFC |
Same Day Confirmed Flight Change |
| SDOO |
Self-Directed Opt Out (as in choosing not to go through the Nude-O-Scope) |
| SDR |
Special Drawing Rights (international currency code XDR) |
| SDS |
Same Day Standby |
| SEAT PITCH |
The distance measured between a seat back and the seat back in front of it. Actually, it can be measured from any point on a seat to the SAME point on the next row of seats. |
| SEGMENT |
A section or "leg" of a continuous itinerary. |
| SELCAL |
Selective-Calling system (usually signal for messaging from operator to aircraft) |
| Selectee |
Having the designation "SSSS" printed on your boarding card by your air carrier, subjecting you to additional screening at the checkpoint. |
| SEN |
Lufthansa Senator (*G) |
| SERVICE CENTER |
Place where members of frequent travel programs can call for award travel, redemption, accrual and current promotions. |
| SGB |
Simply Good Business. |
| SHARED ACCOUNT |
When two separate members earn miles into a single account; usually involves an affinity card. |
| Shoe carnival |
Term introduced by Spiff referring to the practice of requiring shoe removal prior to going thru the WTMD. |
| SIC |
Second In Command (see also PIC; also Seat In Coach) |
| SIF |
Selective Identification Feature (aircraft-based transponder signal) |
| Silver Medallion |
The lowest Elite status level of the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program. |
| SK |
SAS - Scandinavian Airlines System |
| SkyTeam |
The airline alliance of which Delta Air Lines is a founding member. |
| SkyWest |
ACMI carrier flying feed for AA, AS, DL and UA |
| SLF |
Flight crew lingo for Passengers ' Self Loading Freight' |
| SM |
SkyMiles. Sometimes it is used to refer to Silver Medallion or a general SkyMiles member. |
| SM |
The acronym "SM" is used on a number of airlines to denote Special Meals in general. (Specific codes include KSML, Kosher Special Meal, etc.) |
| SMB |
Sir Michael Bishop (Part owner - until Jan - of bmi) |
| SMI |
SkyMilesInsider |
| SMOH |
Since Major OverHaul |
| SMS |
Special Member Services (aka the Medallion line) |
| SN |
Sabena |
| SNS |
Saturday night stay (as a requirement for certain airfares) |
| SOL |
Sh!t Outta Luck |
| SOP |
Standard Operating Procedure, formerly the holy writ by which all TSA screening personnel were expected to perform. |
| SPACE AVAILABLE |
Usually associated with upgrades. Members of frequent traveler programs can upgrade to first or business class on airlines and upgrade to rooms with special amenities at hotels when the seat or room is not already filled by revenue-paying occupants. |
| SPCCR |
Self-Policing Community Closure Rule, used by some on this forum for proposing ignoring a thread |
| SPG |
Starwood Preferred Guest |
| SPML |
Special Meal |
| SPOT |
Screening of Passengers by Observation Technique. Those DHS personnel who have been trained in this are known as BDO's orSPOTniks. |
| SQ |
Singapore Airlines |
| SR |
The old code for Swissair. The new code is LX. |
| SRC |
Senior Citizen Passenger |
| SS |
Special Services |
| SS |
Sell. |
| SS.SS |
Properly, a reference to DHS 'See Something, Say Something' campaign; informally, any act of reporting suspicious behavior to law enforcement, public transportation officials, airline personnel or other authorities. Variants include 'SS/SS', 'SS, SS' and similar. |
| SSCI |
Self Service Check In |
| SSI |
Sensitive Security Information. |
| SSM |
Save SkyMiles |
| SSR |
Special Service Request (in airports, often refers to wheelchair or cart assistance) |
| SSSS |
Selected for Secondary Security Screening |
| ST |
SkyTeam |
| STANDBY |
A passenger waiting for a seat on a full flight who is prepared to travel if space becomes available at the last moment. |
| STANDBY UPGRADE |
Available at check-in if space is available in a higher class of service. Usually, passengers check in no more than two hours in advance for standby upgrades. |
| starboard |
Right side of aircraft when facing forward. "right" is the preferred aviation term. |
| STATUS |
See ELITE LEVEL. |
| STATUS MATCH |
A "fast track" to elite status in which an airline will award status in its program based on a member's status in another program, usually because the member is switching. Status matches are once-in-a-lifetime affairs and airlines may match only to a lower level (e.g. someone in the highest tier of the old airline may only be matched to the middle tier of the new one). Some airlines do not match status, or do so only in conjunction with a Challenge. |
| STATUS MILES |
Miles that count toward reaching Elite status with any airline, i.e. NOT inclusive of any elite or class of service bonus which often are not counted toward Elite level. See also "Q Miles" and "EQM". |
| STC |
Supplemental Type Certificate (FAA approval doc for aircraft modifications, changes or additions) |
| STD |
Scheduled Time of Departure |
| sticker |
500 mile upgrade instrument (used to be actual stickers) |
| Stop |
Considered to be a layover or connection up to a certain maximum allowed connecting time |
| STOPOVER |
An intentional interruption of a flight along a direct route. Stopovers are allowed sometimes when flying on an award ticket. Length of stopover varies by airline. |
| Stopover |
aA substantially longer break in the flight itinerary than a stop or transfer |
| STPC |
Stopover Paid By Carrier |
| STSO |
Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (aka "three-stripers," aka "Sups") |
| SU |
The airline code for Aeroflot |
| sUA |
Subsidiary United Airlines (same as PMUA) |
| SUB |
Sign Up Bonus |
| SUD |
Boeing 747 Stretched Upper Deck (2nd or upper deck) |
| Super |
The wake turbulence category for the A380. |
| SV |
Saudi Arabian |
| SW |
Air Namibia |
| SWEET SPOT |
Special system-wide upgrades given to United Airlines 1K members in 2003. |
| SWMBO |
She who must be obeyed, i.e., significant other |
| SWU |
Accronym for System Wide Upgrade. An upgrade award that can be used on any segment in an airline's route system. Many of the major airlines offer SWU's as a benefit to their elite-level members. |
| SY |
Sun Country Airlines |
| T |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| T/O |
Take off |
| T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 |
Terminal numbers |
| T5A, T5B, T5C |
London Heathrow Terminal 5 and Satellites |
| TA |
Travel Agent |
| TA |
Ticketing Agent |
| TAS |
True Air Speed (usually in knots) |
| TATL |
Transatlantic |
| TBIT |
Tom Bradley International Terminal/LAX |
| TBOH |
Time a Between Major Overhaul |
| TCAS |
Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System |
| TCON or Transcon |
Transcontinental flight |
| TCP |
To Complete Party |
| TCV or eCert |
Transportation Credit Voucher, good discounts on a published fare. Often earned as a PM or DM choice benefit, or issued by customer care to resolve a complaint. |
| TDC |
Travel Document Checker = TSO's tasked with matching ID to boarding passes |
| Ted |
A United subsidiary established to compete with the low-cost carriers, in contrast with PS |
| TFTG |
Tales From The Galley |
| TG |
Thai Airways |
| TH |
Thomas Hudson |
| The Speech |
A phrase coined by PremEx that a passenger must give to the gate agent before a flight letting the agent know that the passenger is willing to give up their seat should there be a need for it (if the flight is oversold). If this is the case, the passenger offering the seat could be offered compensation (search the numerous threads to find what this could/should be), or an upgrade on the flight. Search this out as well, as you can see examples of exactly how it works! |
| Three-Striper |
Number of stripes on a TSO's epaulet indicating supervisory rank. |
| THRESHOLD BONUS |
An incentive offered to members of a program's elite level. Additional miles or points are awarded to members who reach a specific membership level or "threshold." |
| Through |
Makes a stop or more |
| Throwaway ticketing |
See: "Hidden city ticketing" |
| TIER |
See ELITE LEVEL. |
| TITCR |
This Is The Credited Response |
| TIV |
Trip in Vain |
| TIX |
Short for tickets |
| TK |
Turkish Airlines |
| TK |
Schedule change for confirmed segment. |
| TL |
Schedule change for waitlisted segment. |
| TN |
Schedule change for requested segment. |
| TOD |
Tens of dollars (used by UA flyers to refer to upgrades sold more cheaply to those without status than available to those with status) |
| TP |
TAP - Air Portugal |
| TP |
Tier Points |
| TPAC |
Trans-PACific |
| TRACON |
Terminal Radar Approach Control |
| transcon |
flight crossing U.S. coast-to-coast (Atlantic & Pacific coasts) |
| Transfer |
considered to be a layover or connection up to a certain maximum allowed connecting time |
| Travelport |
Electronic reservations system used by many airlines and travel agents. |
| TRSA |
Thunderstorms and rainshowers. When suffixed with "+", generally expect flow or ground stop. |
| TSA |
Transportation Security Administration (U.S.) - part of the Department of Homeland Security. |
| TSA love note |
Notice of Baggage Inspection. A leaflet/placard left in a passenger's checked baggage indicating the bag was opened up by the TSA in the bag room. |
| TSO |
Transportation Security Officer |
| TT |
Trans Tasman, generally refers to flights between Australia and New Zealand |
| TTL |
Ticketing Time Limit |
| Type A certificates |
discount certificates (such as CS25s or Entertainment book coupons) that reduce the base fare of the ticket. Only one may be used per ticket. A Type A certificate may be used in combination with multiple Type B certificates. |
| Type B certificates |
vouchers (not coupons) such as VDB, IDB, and refaring refund certificates. They act like cash and do not reduce the base fare. More than one Type B voucher can be used as payment for a single ticket, and they may be used in combination with a single Type A certificate. |
| TZ |
American Trans Air |
| U |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| UA |
United Airlines |
| UA Metal |
a plane that UA operates. The flight number could still be that of another (Star Alliance) carrier. This has a bearing on earned mileage and other MP benefits. |
| UAE |
United Arab Emirates |
| UAX |
synonym for UX, United Express |
| UC |
Unable to accept, waitlist, cancel and request alternate flight. Passenger is not confirmed and is not waitlisted. |
| UC |
Business class on VS (Upper Class). |
| UC |
United Club |
| UD |
Upper Deck on larger aircraft, like the 744. |
| UDH |
FlyerTalk member UnofficialDLHelper, who is employed by Delta Air Lines. UnofficialDLHelper answers questions and offers advice pertaining to Delta Air Lines but is not officially a representative of Delta Air Lines in the Delta forum on FlyerTalk. |
| UDU |
Unlimited Domestic Upgrade - for Executive Platinum ("domestic" = USA, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda and Central America) |
| UFC |
Upgrade For Cash |
| UFU |
Unlimited Free Upgrades - See UDU |
| UGS, GS |
United Global Services - Nota bona-fide status level and by invitation only. Likely based on money spent or influence over spending money on UA. |
| UM |
Unaccompanied Minor. A child traveling alone. Special arrangements can be made with most airlines to have the child escorted to the plane and met at the destination(s). If a connection is involved, an agent will meet the UM at the gate and escort him/her to a special room with supervision. |
| UN |
Transaero Airlines |
| UN |
Unable to confirm or waitlist request. Flight not operating. |
| Uncle Leo |
The name adapted by some Delta forum FlyerTalk members for Leo Mullin, former chief executive officer of Delta Air Lines. |
| United.Bomb |
A reference to United Airline's website - generally meant to be uncomplimentary. |
| UPGRADE (UG) |
Transferring to a higher class of service or accommodation, such as from coach to first. Upgrades may be one-class upgrades (see ONE-CLASS) or jump several classes of service. |
| Upgrade Lottery |
The process in which there are more SkyMiles Medallion members at the gate that there are available upgrades on that particular aircraft, which usually results in a selection process as to who is fortunate enough to get upgraded and who is not. |
| US |
US Airways |
| US |
Unserviceable / out of service |
| US |
Unable to sell. Have waitlisted. |
| USPC |
United States Pre Clearance - Facility at some foreign airports (eg. SNN, DUB) to clear US immigration and customs enabling the flight to arrive as a "domestic" flight. |
| UTB |
Un-Ticketed Baby aka lap baby |
| UTC |
Universal Coordinated Time (see GMT, Zulu Time) |
| UU |
Unable. Have waitlisted. |
| UUA |
Upgrade Using Avios |
| UX, UAX |
United Express - Commuter flights using smaller RJ, EX or CRJ planes, run by independent contractors, under contract to UA |
| V |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| VBIT |
Vacation Bound Infrequent Traveler' a somewhat derogatory term which identifies a naive and infrequent traveler. Often identified by their wonderment of the security systems at airports, their propensity to look for the seat marking A-B-C and general uncertainly when boarding. Fact is, many us started the very same way. |
| VCR |
Virtual Coupon Record |
| VDB |
Voluntary denied boarding. More commonly known as a "bump". Most airlines offer $$$ travel credits or "VDB vouchers" in such instances. |
| VFF |
Very Frequent Flyer |
| VFR |
Rules under which pilots fly VMC. |
| VFR |
Visiting Family & Relatives |
| VGML |
Vegetarian Meal |
| VIPOW |
One-way complimentary systemwide upgrade certificate on American Airlines. Executive Platinum members receive eight such certificates each year that they attain/retain this highest level of elite status with American. |
| VIPR |
Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response. Taking security screening to baffling new heights using strange techniques in places other than airports. |
| VMC |
Visual Meteorological Conditions |
| VR |
Vanilla Reload Pack |
| VRBO |
Vacation Rentals by Owner |
| VS |
Virgin Atlantic Airways |
| VX |
Virgin America |
| W |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| WAITLIST |
A list of passengers requesting seats on full flights that might become available as a result of cancellation. Airline programs' elite-level members are often offered priority waitlisting. |
| Warm Nuts |
On many flights, First Class is served warm nuts. FTers seem to have an additional definition for this term. |
| Waterside |
AKA Waterworld (BA HQ) |
| Wave |
Mountain wave turbulence that has a seesaw motion to pax but can also be accompanied by moderate or better turbulence. Generally found downwind of mountains out to 1000 miles when strong winds aloft are present. |
| WBI |
Whole Body Imaging |
| WC |
World Club |
| WEI |
Weapons, Explosives and Incendiaries |
| Wet Lease |
A wet lease is a leasing arrangement whereby one airline (lessor) provides an aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) to another airline (lessee), which pays by hours operated. The lessee provides fuel and covers airport fees, and any other duties, taxes, etc. The flight uses the flight number of the lessee. A wet lease generally lasts one month to two years; anything less would be considered an ad-hoc charter. A wet lease is typically utilized during peak traffic seasons or annual heavy maintenance checks, or to initiate new routes. A wet leased aircraft may be used to fly services into countries where the lessee is banned from operating..http |
| WFBF |
Want First Buy First |
| WHQ |
World Headquarters. Used a lot on the United board. |
| Wi-Fi lice |
non-lounge users who hang out near lounges to use WiFi signals |
| Widget |
The term used for the triangular-shaped logo device that officially represents Delta Air Lines. |
| Wilco |
"Will Comply," now rarely used in radio communications (e.g., with control tower) |
| WK |
UA (K)Cancelled, for a city pair segment where the flight number changed |
| WL |
UA Waitlist |
| WM |
Wal-Mart |
| WN |
Southwest Airlines |
| Worldspan |
Electronic reservations system used by many airlines and travel agents. |
| WRT |
Internet lingo meaning "With Regards To" |
| WSJ |
Wall Street Journal, or ANY broadsheet news paper (difficult to read when your knees are up around your nose!) |
| WT |
World Traveller (Long haul economy class) |
| WT+ |
World Traveller Plus (Long haul premium economy class) |
| WTMD |
Walk-Through Metal Detector |
| WX |
Weather |
| X |
Complimentary Medallion Upgrade (Business Class) |
| X |
First Class UPGRADE AWARD from paid Business* (Better known as 'NF') |
| XK |
Cancel segment. No teletype sent. |
| XX |
Cancel confirmed/requested. |
| Y |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| Y-Up |
coach fare that immediately allows passenger to book First seat |
| Yaw |
aircraft angle of rotation about vertical axis or motion about that axis; moves nose left or right |
| YGM |
Internet lingo meaning "You've got mail" |
| YGPM |
You've Got Private Mail. |
| YIELD MANAGEMENT |
The process whereby airlines allocate seats at different prices depending on actual vs. anticipated demand. Yield management also pertains to the process of allocating frequent flyer award seats. |
| YM |
Yield Management (obsolete, now called Revenue Management or RM) |
| YMMV |
Your Mileage May Vary. |
| YQ |
Fuel surcharge |
| YRT |
Typical Fare Basis Code for a full-fare ticket with a 1-year validity |
| YV |
Mesa Airlines |
| YX |
Midwest Express |
| Z |
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline |
| Zulu Time |
see GMT, UTC |
