| Term |
Definition |
| 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 |
