Airport Glossary — Aviation Terms & Terminology Explained

AENA

Aeropuertos Espanoles y Navegacion Aerea — the state-owned company that manages 46 airports and 2 heliports in Spain, making it the world's largest airport operator by number of passengers.

Example: AENA operates Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat airports.

Airbridge

A movable, enclosed walkway (also called a jet bridge or jetway) that connects the airport terminal directly to the aircraft door, allowing passengers to board and disembark without going outside.

Airside

The area of an airport beyond passport control and security screening, accessible only to passengers with valid boarding passes. This is where you'll find duty-free shops, departure gates, and airline lounges.

APIS

Advance Passenger Information System — a system requiring airlines to submit passenger data (passport details, flight information) to the destination country's border authorities before departure. This is why airlines ask for your passport details at check-in.

Apron

The paved area at an airport where aircraft are parked for loading/unloading passengers, cargo, refueling, and maintenance. Also called the "ramp" or "tarmac" in everyday language.

ATIS

Automatic Terminal Information Service — a continuous broadcast of recorded aeronautical information at airports, including weather conditions, active runways, and important notices. Pilots listen to ATIS before takeoff and landing.

Baggage Carousel

A rotating conveyor belt system in the arrivals hall where checked luggage is delivered to passengers after a flight. Each flight is assigned a specific carousel number, displayed on airport screens.

Baggage Claim

The designated area in an airport's arrivals section where passengers collect their checked luggage from the baggage carousels after landing.

Boarding Pass

A document issued by an airline during check-in that grants a passenger permission to board the aircraft. It contains the passenger's name, flight number, date, departure time, gate number, and seat assignment. Available in printed or digital (mobile) format.

Carry-on Baggage

Luggage that passengers are allowed to bring into the aircraft cabin. Size and weight limits vary by airline but typically must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. Most airlines allow one carry-on bag plus one personal item (handbag, laptop bag).

Checked Baggage

Luggage that is handed over to the airline at check-in to be stored in the aircraft's cargo hold during the flight. Weight limits typically range from 15-32 kg depending on the airline and ticket class.

Codeshare

An agreement between two or more airlines to sell seats on each other's flights under their own flight numbers. This means the same physical flight can have multiple flight numbers. Common in airline alliances like Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam.

Example: A flight operated by Lufthansa (LH400) might also be sold as United UA8840.

Concourse

A section of a terminal building that contains departure gates, typically arranged along a long corridor. Large airports may have multiple concourses connected by walkways, shuttles, or underground trains.

Example: Atlanta airport has 7 concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F) connected by an underground train.

Connecting Flight

A flight that requires a passenger to change aircraft at an intermediate airport to reach their final destination. The minimum connection time (MCT) varies by airport and can range from 45 minutes to 3+ hours at large hubs.

Curfew

Restrictions on aircraft takeoffs and landings during specific hours, typically nighttime, to reduce noise impact on surrounding communities. Airports with curfews include Sydney (11pm-6am), Frankfurt (11pm-5am), and London Heathrow (11:30pm-4:30am for departures).

Customs

Government checkpoint where arriving international passengers declare goods they are bringing into the country. Most airports have a "green channel" (nothing to declare) and a "red channel" (goods to declare). Failure to declare dutiable goods can result in fines and confiscation.

Denied Boarding

When a passenger with a confirmed reservation is not allowed to board the flight, usually due to overbooking. Airlines must first seek volunteers before involuntarily denying boarding. Affected passengers are entitled to compensation under EU and US regulations.

Domestic Flight

A flight that departs from and arrives in the same country. Domestic passengers typically don't need to go through passport control or customs, making the airport experience faster.

Duty-Free

Products sold at airports without local or national taxes and duties, available to passengers traveling internationally. Common duty-free products include alcohol, tobacco, perfume, cosmetics, and electronics. Savings compared to regular retail vary by product and destination.

E-Ticket

An electronic ticket stored in the airline's computer system rather than issued as a physical paper document. The booking reference (PNR code, typically 6 characters) is used to retrieve the ticket at check-in. E-tickets have been standard in the airline industry since 2008.

ESTA

Electronic System for Travel Authorization — an automated system used by the US government to determine the eligibility of visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries. ESTA must be obtained online before traveling to the US and is valid for 2 years.

Fast Track

A premium security screening lane that allows eligible passengers to bypass regular queues. Available to business/first class passengers, airline elite members, and sometimes purchasable separately. Fast track typically reduces wait times from 20-30 minutes to under 5 minutes.

FBO

Fixed-Base Operator — a company that provides ground handling services for private and business aviation at airports. FBOs offer fuel, hangar space, passenger lounges, and crew facilities separate from the main commercial terminals.

Gate

A designated area in the terminal where passengers wait to board their aircraft and where the boarding process takes place. Each gate has a unique number/letter and is assigned to a specific flight. Gate assignments can change, so always check airport screens.

Ground Handling

All services provided to an aircraft while it's on the ground at an airport, including baggage loading/unloading, refueling, catering, cleaning, pushback, and passenger stair provision. Major ground handling companies include Swissport, dnata, and Menzies Aviation.

Hub Airport

An airport used by one or more airlines as a central connecting point for transferring passengers between flights. Hubs offer many connecting routes, making them efficient for reaching multiple destinations. The "hub-and-spoke" model means flights fan out from a central hub to many destinations.

Example: Dubai (DXB) is the hub for Emirates, Frankfurt (FRA) for Lufthansa, and Atlanta (ATL) for Delta.

IATA

International Air Transport Association — a trade association of the world's airlines, representing about 300 airlines accounting for 83% of global air traffic. IATA sets industry standards, manages the BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan) for ticket sales, and assigns the 3-letter airport codes used worldwide.

IATA Code

A unique 3-letter code assigned by IATA to identify airports worldwide. These codes are used on boarding passes, luggage tags, flight schedules, and booking systems. They are the most widely recognized airport identifiers for travelers.

Example: LHR = London Heathrow, JFK = New York JFK, DXB = Dubai, NRT = Tokyo Narita.

ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organization — a United Nations specialized agency that sets international aviation standards, regulations, and practices. ICAO assigns 4-letter location codes to airports used primarily by pilots and air traffic control.

ICAO Code

A unique 4-letter code assigned by ICAO to identify airports, used in flight plans, air traffic control, and meteorological reports. The first letter indicates the region (E = Northern Europe, L = Southern Europe, K = Contiguous US, etc.).

Example: EGLL = London Heathrow, KJFK = New York JFK, OMDB = Dubai.

ILS

Instrument Landing System — a ground-based radio navigation system that provides precision guidance to pilots during approach and landing, especially in low visibility conditions (fog, rain, night). ILS consists of a localizer (horizontal guidance) and glideslope (vertical guidance).

Immigration

The border control process where arriving international passengers present their passport and visa (if required) to a government officer who verifies their identity and authorization to enter the country. Also known as "passport control" or "border control."

International Flight

A flight that departs from one country and arrives in another. International passengers must go through immigration (passport control) and customs at their destination airport. Within the EU's Schengen Area, flights between member countries are treated as domestic for border control purposes.

Jetway

See Airbridge. The enclosed, telescoping walkway connecting the terminal gate to the aircraft door. The brand name "Jetway" (by JBT Corporation) has become a generic term for any passenger boarding bridge.

Landside

The area of an airport before security screening and passport control, accessible to the general public including non-travelers. This includes the check-in hall, arrivals area, car parks, public transportation connections, and some shops and restaurants.

Layover

An extended stop between connecting flights, typically lasting several hours or overnight. Unlike a short connection, a layover may involve leaving the airport to explore the city (if visa requirements allow). Some airlines and airports offer free layover tours and hotel stays for long layovers.

Example: Turkish Airlines offers free Istanbul tours for layovers of 6-24 hours.

Lounge

A premium waiting area at an airport offering comfortable seating, food and drinks, WiFi, showers, and quiet work spaces. Access is available through business/first class tickets, airline status, lounge memberships (like Priority Pass), or day passes purchased at the door.

MCT

Minimum Connection Time — the shortest time needed between flights for a passenger to make a connection at a specific airport. MCT varies by airport (45 min to 3+ hours) and depends on whether the connection involves international arrivals/departures, terminal changes, or re-screening.

Noise Abatement

Procedures and regulations designed to minimize aircraft noise impact on communities near airports. These include preferential runways, noise-based landing fees, curfews, and specific flight paths that avoid residential areas during noise-sensitive hours.

Overbooking

The practice of airlines selling more tickets than available seats on a flight, based on statistical predictions that some passengers will not show up. When all ticket holders do arrive, the flight is "oversold" and some passengers may be denied boarding.

Passenger Boarding Bridge

See Airbridge. The formal technical term for the enclosed walkway connecting the terminal to the aircraft.

PIR

Property Irregularity Report — an official form filed at the airline's baggage service desk when checked luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged. The PIR number is essential for tracking your bag and filing a compensation claim.

PNR

Passenger Name Record — a unique alphanumeric code (usually 6 characters) that identifies your booking in the airline's reservation system. The PNR is used to retrieve your booking, check in, and manage your itinerary.

Example: A PNR might look like: X7K9MN

Priority Pass

The world's largest independent airport lounge access program, providing entry to 1,500+ lounges across 600+ cities. Available through annual membership or as a benefit of certain premium credit cards. A standard visit costs approximately $32 per person.

PRM

Passenger with Reduced Mobility — a person whose mobility is limited due to physical disability, age, illness, or other cause of disability, and who needs special assistance at the airport. Under EU Regulation 1107/2006, airports must provide free PRM assistance.

Pushback

The procedure where an aircraft is pushed backwards from the gate by a specialized towing vehicle (pushback tug) before it can taxi to the runway under its own power. This is necessary because most aircraft cannot safely reverse.

Runway

A paved strip at an airport used for aircraft takeoffs and landings. Runways are identified by a number based on their magnetic heading (divided by 10). A runway pointing roughly east (90 degrees) would be designated "09." If an airport has parallel runways, they add L (left), C (center), or R (right).

Example: Heathrow has runways 09L/27R and 09R/27L.

Schengen Area

A zone of 27 European countries that have abolished passport and border controls at their mutual borders. Flights between Schengen countries are treated as "domestic" — no passport check. When entering/leaving the Schengen Area, standard immigration controls apply.

Example: Flying Paris to Berlin = no passport needed. Flying London to Paris = passport required (UK left Schengen).

Slot

A permission given to an airline to use a specific time window for takeoff or landing at a congested airport. At capacity-constrained airports like London Heathrow, slots are extremely valuable — a single daily slot pair can be worth $50+ million. Slot allocation is governed by the IATA Worldwide Slot Guidelines.

Spoke

In the "hub-and-spoke" model, a spoke airport is a smaller, non-hub airport connected to a major hub. Passengers traveling between two spoke cities typically must connect through the hub, even if it's not the most direct route geographically.

Stopover

A deliberate break in a journey at an intermediate point, longer than a standard connection (usually 24+ hours). Some airlines allow free or low-cost stopovers in their hub cities as a marketing strategy to encourage tourism.

Example: Icelandair offers free stopovers in Reykjavik on transatlantic routes.

Taxiway

Paved paths at an airport that aircraft use to travel between the runway, terminal gates, and maintenance areas. Taxiways are identified by letters (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie) and have specific speed limits and right-of-way rules controlled by air traffic control.

Terminal

A building at an airport where passengers check in, pass through security, and board aircraft. Large airports may have multiple terminals (numbered T1, T2, T3, etc.) that may be connected by walkways, shuttles, or trains. Each terminal typically has its own set of check-in counters, security checkpoints, and departure gates.

Transit Passenger

A passenger who stops at an airport between flights without entering the country. Transit passengers typically stay in a designated transit area (airside) and may not need a visa for the transit country, though requirements vary by nationality and airport.

Visa on Arrival

A visa that can be obtained at the destination airport's immigration checkpoint upon arrival, rather than at an embassy beforehand. Availability depends on the traveler's nationality and destination country. Some visa-on-arrival services require payment in local currency or USD.