Airline Reservations and Ticketing
Expert-defined terms from the Certificate in Corporate Travel Management course at London School of International Business. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Airline Reservations and Ticketing #
Airline Reservations and Ticketing
Airline Reservations and Ticketing is a crucial aspect of the travel industry th… #
This glossary will cover key terms related to airline reservations and ticketing in the context of the Certificate in Corporate Travel Management.
Airline Reservation System (ARS) #
Airline Reservation System (ARS)
An Airline Reservation System (ARS) is a computerized system used by airlines to… #
ARS allows airlines to store and retrieve flight information, manage seat inventory, and facilitate booking and ticketing. Examples of ARS include Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport.
Availability #
Availability
Availability refers to the number of seats remaining on a particular flight #
When a passenger makes a reservation, the system checks the availability of seats on the desired flight. If seats are available, the reservation can be confirmed, and a ticket can be issued.
Booking Class #
Booking Class
Booking Class, also known as fare class, is a code used by airlines to categoriz… #
Each booking class is associated with a specific fare type and fare rules. Common booking classes include First Class (F), Business Class (C), and Economy Class (Y).
Check #
in
Check #
in is the process where passengers confirm their presence on a flight and receive their boarding pass. Passengers can check-in online, at a self-service kiosk, or at the airline counter. Check-in requirements vary by airline and destination.
Code #
Share
Code #
Share is a marketing agreement between two or more airlines where one airline operates a flight under its own flight number, but the seats are also sold by partner airlines. Code-share agreements allow airlines to expand their route networks and offer customers more travel options.
Connection #
Connection
A Connection, also known as a layover or stopover, is a point where a passenger… #
Connections can vary in duration and may require passengers to change terminals or airlines.
Direct Flight #
Direct Flight
A Direct Flight is a flight that travels from one point to another without any i… #
Despite the term "direct," the flight may still make stops for refueling or picking up passengers. Direct flights are different from non-stop flights.
Electronic Ticket (e #
ticket)
An Electronic Ticket, or e #
ticket, is a digital ticket stored in the airline's reservation system. E-tickets have largely replaced traditional paper tickets and contain all the necessary travel information, such as the passenger's name, flight details, and ticket number.
Frequent Flyer Program #
Frequent Flyer Program
A Frequent Flyer Program is a loyalty program offered by airlines to reward freq… #
Passengers can redeem these points for free flights, upgrades, and other travel benefits. Examples of frequent flyer programs include Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus.
Global Distribution System (GDS) #
Global Distribution System (GDS)
A Global Distribution System (GDS) is a computerized network used by travel agen… #
GDS allows travel professionals to compare prices, make reservations, and issue tickets across multiple airlines and suppliers.
Interline Agreement #
Interline Agreement
An Interline Agreement is a commercial agreement between two or more airlines th… #
Interline agreements simplify the travel experience for passengers by enabling seamless connections between different airlines.
Itinerary #
Itinerary
An Itinerary is a detailed plan of a traveler's journey, including flight detail… #
Itineraries can be created by travel agents, airlines, or travelers themselves to organize and document travel arrangements.
No #
Show
A No #
Show is a passenger who fails to check-in for a flight or cancels their reservation without notifying the airline. No-show passengers may lose the value of their ticket or face penalties depending on the airline's policies.
Open Jaw #
Open Jaw
An Open Jaw is a type of airline ticket that allows passengers to fly into one d… #
Open jaw tickets are commonly used for multi-city itineraries and can offer more flexibility in travel planning.
PNR (Passenger Name Record) #
PNR (Passenger Name Record)
A PNR, or Passenger Name Record, is a unique identifier assigned to each passeng… #
The PNR contains essential travel information, such as the passenger's name, flight details, seat assignment, and contact information.
Seat Map #
Seat Map
A Seat Map is a graphical representation of an aircraft's seating layout, showin… #
Seat maps can help passengers choose their preferred seats during the reservation process and provide airlines with an overview of seat availability.
Standby #
Standby
Standby is a travel option that allows passengers to wait for available seats on… #
Passengers on standby may be accommodated on the flight if seats become available due to cancellations or no-shows.
Stopover #
Stopover
A Stopover is a deliberate break in a journey that extends beyond the usual conn… #
Stopovers allow passengers to spend time in a city or destination before continuing their travel to the final destination. Some airlines offer free stopovers as part of their ticketing options.
Through Fare #
Through Fare
A Through Fare is a single ticket that covers multiple segments of a journey on… #
Through fares are commonly used for connecting flights and allow passengers to book their entire journey with a single ticket and a single price.
Upgrade #
Upgrade
An Upgrade is the process of moving to a higher class of service on a flight, su… #
Upgrades can be purchased, requested with frequent flyer miles, or offered as a complimentary benefit to elite status passengers.
Waitlist #
Waitlist
A Waitlist is a list of passengers who have requested seats on a fully booked fl… #
Passengers on the waitlist are assigned a priority based on factors such as fare class, frequent flyer status, and time of booking.
Yield Management #
Yield Management
Yield Management is a pricing strategy used by airlines to maximize revenue by a… #
Yield management aims to optimize seat utilization and profitability by offering different fares to different passengers.