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Understanding Airline Terminology: A Guide to Aviation Terms (A to F)

Updated: Oct 4


guide to aviation terms

Drowning in a sea of acronyms (ARC, CRS, FAM)? This guide to aviation terms is your lifeline. We'll translate the cryptic language of aviation travel, transforming you from industry outsider to confident navigator of the aviation alphabet soup. Let's crack the code, starting with the first leg (A-F).

ARC (Airlines Reporting Corporation) is a financial settlement and data processing company that facilitates transactions between travel agencies and airlines in the United States. ARC provides a secure platform for ticket sales, reporting, and settlement, ensuring accurate financial reconciliation and data analysis for the air travel industry.

In the travel industry, ASK stands for "Available Seat Kilometers." ASK is a metric used to measure an airline's passenger capacity by multiplying the total number of available seats on flights by the total distance flown in kilometers. ASK is a key indicator of an airline's network capacity and utilization.

In the travel industry, ASM stands for "Available Seat Miles." ASM is a measure of an airline's capacity, representing the total number of seats available for sale multiplied by the total distance flown. It is a key metric used to assess an airline's operational capacity and efficiency in passenger transportation.

ATPCO, the Airline Tariff Publishing Company, is a global organization in the travel industry that provides fare and pricing data solutions to airlines and other travel distribution partners. It manages fare filing and distribution, enables fare management, and facilitates the exchange of fare-related information, ensuring accurate and timely fare updates for the industry.

In the travel industry, AVS stands for "Availability Status" and refers to the real-time or current inventory of seats, rooms, or travel services offered by airlines, hotels, or other travel providers. It indicates the number of available spaces for booking, allowing travel agents and customers to check and confirm reservation options for their desired travel dates.

The Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) is a centralized system managed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It facilitates financial transactions and settlement between airlines and travel agents, streamlining ticket sales, reporting, and payment processes, ensuring efficient and transparent financial operations in the airline ticket distribution network.

BSPO refers to Billing and Settlement Plan Operations - a vital system managed by IATA that facilitates accurate financial transactions between airlines and travel agents. BSPO ensures smooth invoicing, ticket sales reconciliation, and efficient settlement processes, enhancing financial interactions within the industry.

Category 25 (CaT 25) is a code used in the fare construction of airline tickets, indicating specific rules and conditions that apply to the fare. These rules could govern restrictions, penalties, validity, or other terms associated with the ticket's pricing and usage. It helps travel agents and airlines apply consistent fare policies during ticketing.

Category 35 fare data, also known as Cat 35, handles the requirements of negotiated fares, such as: Multiple, related fare amounts. Ticketing. Fare mark-ups. Enhanced security over Category 15 which handles sales restrictions.

In the travel industry, CRS stands for "Computer Reservation System." A CRS is a centralized computerized platform used by airlines, hotels, and travel agencies to manage and distribute real-time travel information, availability, and bookings. CRS enable efficient reservation handling, fare management, and ticketing, streamlining the travel booking process for customers and travel agents.

A Cargo Sales Agent (CSA) is a specialized entity responsible for marketing and selling the cargo capacity of airlines or freight carriers. They act as intermediaries, facilitating freight bookings, handling inquiries, and promoting cargo services to shippers and logistics companies to optimize cargo revenue and utilization.

Customer Telephony Operations (CTO) refers to the management of customer interactions, queries, and support services through telephone, email and web chat channels. This involves handling reservation inquiries, ticket bookings, providing travel information, addressing customer concerns, and offering assistance to travelers via various communication channels to ensure a smooth and satisfactory experience.

In the travel industry, DEM stands for "Direct Electronic Mail" or "Direct Email Marketing." It refers to targeted and personalized marketing messages and promotional materials delivered to customers' email addresses. EDM is a cost-effective way for travel companies to communicate with customers, offer travel deals, and promote services to a specific audience.

In the travel industry, DMC stands for "Destination Management Company." A DMC is a specialized local service provider that offers destination-specific expertise and support to travel agents, tour operators, and corporate clients. DMCs assist in planning and executing customized travel experiences, providing local knowledge, logistics coordination, and unique activities to enhance visitors' experiences in the destination.

In the travel industry, EDM stands for "Electronic Direct Mail" or "Email Direct Marketing." It refers to targeted and personalized marketing messages and promotional materials delivered to customers' email addresses. EDM is a cost-effective way for travel companies to communicate with customers, offer travel deals, and promote services to a specific audience.

In the travel industry, FAM stands for "Familiarization trip" or "Familiarization tour." It is a complimentary or discounted trip offered to travel agents, journalists, or other industry professionals to help them become familiar with a destination, hotel, cruise, or tour product. FAM trips aim to enhance product knowledge and promote travel sales.

Fare filing (FF) in the travel industry is the process of submitting and updating fare information by airlines to global distribution systems (GDSs), computer reservation systems (CRSs), and other distribution channels. This includes providing details about ticket prices, rules, restrictions, and fare conditions, ensuring consistent and accurate fare data for travel agents and customers.

Haven't found what you've been looking for? Why don't you have a look at the 2nd (G to P) or 3rd part (R to Z) of our aviation travel acronym dictionary? And if that still didn't do the trick feel free to contact us directly to discuss.

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