Like any industry, the aviation industry has its terminology. These useful words serve those working in the industry. However, air passengers like you can get knowledge for these airline perks from this too!
You can use the terminology to your advantage. You can save big or land a good-value deal.
For instance, a fifth freedom flight is your best bet to book cheap flights to India from the USA.
But do you know what a fifth freedom flight is?
1. Fifth Freedom Flight
Fifth freedom flights have the right to carry revenue traffic between two or more foreign countries as a part of their route.
Also, the journey must either originate or end in the home country of the airline.
Example:
If Air India’s New York to India flight picks up traffic from Poland en route, it would be considered a fifth freedom flight.
This is so because the Air India carrier is serving passengers from the United States of America and Poland.
Both of them are not where the airline is based, i.e., India.
How are Fifth Freedom Flights useful for you?
- Fifth Freedom Flights are cheaper: Through such flights, airlines are looking to expand their customers. Hence, you come across massive discounts on fifth freedom flights.
- The Aircraft is in excellent condition: Air carriers that fly on fifth freedom routes are usually new and offer better flying experience. This is done to ensure better customer satisfaction.
2. Open-Jaw Trip
An open-jaw is a travel itinerary, wherein the origin and/or the destination of the passenger are not the same in both the directions.
This ticket-type is especially famous amongst the backpackers. Further, there are three types of open-jaw ticket.
Take a look at them along with examples:
- Destination Open-Jaw: When passenger boards from one city to another, but fly back to the original destination from a different city.
Example: A traveler boards a flight from New York to New Delhi, but takes the return flight to New York from Mumbai.
- Origin Open-Jaw: When a passenger flies from one city to the other. However, returns to a different city on their way back.
Example: A traveler takes the flight from New York to New Delhi, but from there onward returns to Atlanta, instead of the origin city, i.e., New York.
- Double Open-Jaw: This is when the fares are entirely different.
Example: A traveler takes New York to New Delhi flight. Although returns from Mumbai to Atlanta.
How is an Open-Jaw Trip useful for you?
- Open-Jaw Ticket offers flexibility: With an open-jaw itinerary, a traveler has flexibility. You can select your destinations according to your trip and convenience.
- Explore other Modes of Transport: Open Jaw allows a tourist to commute between destinations using other transportation. For instance, a Mediterranean Cruise experience is very different from a flight.
- Minimum Connection Time
Minimum Connection Time or MCT is the minimum amount of time taken by a passenger to make it to the connecting flight.
World’s every commercial airport has an MCT. It is determined based on the time lost in security checks, and other airport formalities.
Example
For instance, The Minimum Connection Time in the USA for domestic flights is usually 30 minutes to 2 hours.
However, international connecting flights have an MCT of 1 to 3 hours.
How is Minimum Connection Time useful for you?
- Never Miss a Flight: If you miss the connecting flight that doesn’t follow MCT, the airline is not likely to assist you, forget a free seat! Hence, now you know which flights to board!
- Smoother itineraries: If you are aware of the MCT, you can prepare more effective travel plans.
4. Unpublished Fares
Some airfares are not offered for sale by the airlines. Instead, they are private fares that consolidators or travel agencies offer the passengers.
These are called unpublished fares. They are also known as private fares, consolidator fares, and wholesale fares.
Example:
Travel agents purchase tickets in bulk at discounted prices and sell them in the market at a price lower than published deals for the same ticket.
How are unpublished fares useful for you?
- You can get the cheapest flight deals: Unpublished fares are up to 60% less expensive than those published over the internet or online booking portals. You can contact a travel agent or a consolidator to avail them.
5. Tarmac Delay
Airplanes have fixed amount of time to pick up and drop the passenger, soon as they make contact with the ground. This delay is called Tarmac Delay.
Have you ever been on an airplane praying it finally takes off? Or, you feel like you’ve spent ages waiting to get off the plane?
You should start making a note of the time delay.
How is Tarmac Delay useful for you?
- You are eligible for compensation for the delay: Different airlines have different tarmac delay policies. You have the right to be aware of them.
Example
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, if the tarmac delay occurs outside the nation, travelers get no compensation.
6. Bumping
Bumping also known as denied booking defines a scenario wherein a person has a confirmed flight ticket but cannot board.
This is mainly due to a result of overbooking.
In such cases, the airline makes provision for future travel on the same route and sometimes other compensation.
How is bumping useful for you?
- You get paid back: You are compensated for bumping in full, sometimes more than the fare itself.
Example
For instance, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the airline must pay 200 percent to the bumped passenger for domestic flights if they arrive at the destination up to 2 hours late.
In the case of international trips, a traveler may receive 400 percent of the airfare on arriving at the destination 4 hours late.
7. Locator
Locator, also known as PNR or Passenger Name Record. It is a six-digit alphanumeric code for verifying your reservation.
Also, it contains your personal information as well as your itinerary.
So, if you don’t get a PNR after booking a flight online, there is no guarantee that your booking has been confirmed.
Example
A record locator looks something like GNH4E1
How is Locator useful for you?
- Efficient travel: All the valuable information that relates to your travel interest is compiled under your passenger name record. The airlines and the travel agents use this information to offer seamless travel experience. Therefore, keep track of your PNR.
- Guarantees your flight booking: PNR works as a booking confirmation.
8. Hybrid Airline
Hybrid Airlines refer to airlines that are a low-cost model but offer high-quality services.
This quality differentiates Hybrid Airlines from Ultra-Low-Cost-Carriers since ULCC cannot match the services of the former.
Example
Popular hybrid airlines include Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Norwegian, Germanwings, and Bamboo Airways.
How is Hybrid Airline useful for you?
- Better services than a common low-cost carrier: You cannot get the same services as hybrid airlines when you compare them to other budget airlines. Thus, choose the former.
- Range of services to choose from: Free WiFi, free snacks and drinks, extra legroom, in-flight entertainment system, and others.
9. Low Season
Also known as off-peak season, Low Season refers to the time window during which airline industry has fewer air passengers, and hence, reduced business.
Example
Off-peak seasons are usually when there is bad weather, or schools are on, etc.
How is Low Season useful for you?
Get Cheap flights tickets: Cheap airfare deals are the Airline perks of flying during the low season.
So, if you plan to travel long-haul, for example from the USA to India, then you can save big on flight tickets during off-peak season.
10. Transatlantic Flights
Transatlantic flights are air carriers that fly over the Atlantic Ocean.
These flights are in good condition and well-equipped. Therefore, offer a better flying experience.
Examples
United Airlines, Condor, Norwegian, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, and British Airways are some of the renowned airlines that fly on transatlantic routes.
How are Transatlantic Flights useful for you?
- More legroom: The Aircraft has to cover a long distance. Hence there is generally more legroom on such routes to offer maximum convenience.
- Beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean: The magnificent vistas of the spotless white ice are going to make your journey worthwhile.
When you are well accustomed and up-to-date with the airport industry lingo you can facilitate your travel experience.
If you are a frequent flyer, you may have already come across some of the industry-specific terms.
Even so, a vast majority of passengers are unaware of the airline jargon. Therefore, keep the above mentioned in mind.
Especially on long-haul trips, like the USA to India. Avail cheap flight tickets, and other perks!