IATA Consultant key terms

A journey where the passenger flies into one city and departs from a different city, or returns to a different point than the origin, with the gap covered by surface transport. It is priced as a single fare construction.

An alphanumeric string in a ticket record that identifies the fare type applied, including cabin, season, day-of-week restrictions, advance purchase rules and validity period, so the fare can be audited and repriced.

A common currency used by IATA to express fares worldwide so that amounts in different local currencies can be added and compared. It is converted to the currency of sale using the applicable IATA rate of exchange.

The IATA-published conversion factor used to change a fare from NUC into the currency of sale, or between two local currencies. It is applied at the date of ticket issuance, not the travel date.

The process of building a fare for a multi-sector or multi-carrier journey by combining sector fares, checking mileage or routing conditions, applying rules and converting the result into the currency of sale.

The conditions attached to a fare that state whether it can be changed, cancelled or refunded, and what penalties, minimum stay, maximum stay and advance purchase requirements apply. They govern the passenger's rights after purchase.

The reservation file held in a computer reservation system that links a passenger's name to flights, dates, contacts, ticketing arrangements and special service requests. It is the reference for all handling before check-in.

The six-character alphanumeric code that identifies a specific PNR in a reservation system. It is given to the passenger and differs between systems even for the same booking, so agencies and airlines may hold different codes.

A 13-digit number identifying an electronic ticket, beginning with the three-digit airline accounting code. It is stored in the reservation and is required for check-in, refunds and receipt matching.

A two-letter code on each flight coupon of an electronic ticket showing whether it is open for use, checked in, flown, refunded, exchanged or void. It controls whether a segment can still be used or refunded.

An electronic document used to charge and record payment for ancillary services such as extra baggage, seat selection or lounge access that are not part of the air fare. It carries its own number and coupon status.

A standard coded message in a PNR requesting a specific service for a passenger, such as a wheelchair, special meal, extra seat or unaccompanied minor handling. It requires airline confirmation and appears on the ticket record.

A free-text entry in a PNR that passes information to the airline without requesting a service, for example a passenger's medical note or a frequent flyer number. It does not generate a confirmed service.

The two ways of handling a ticket the passenger cannot use as planned. A refund returns money after applying the fare's cancellation penalty; a reissue exchanges the ticket for a new one, charging any difference and change fee.

A passenger who holds a confirmed reservation but does not appear for the flight and does not cancel in advance. Most fares apply a penalty and may cancel remaining segments of the itinerary.

The shortest interval an airport and airline consider sufficient for a passenger and baggage to transfer between an arriving and a departing flight. Reservations systems reject itineraries that fall below it.

An airline route structure in which flights from many smaller cities feed into a central airport, where passengers change to other flights. It increases load factors and connection options but concentrates delay risk at the hub.

The percentage of available seat kilometres or seats actually sold and flown on a flight or network. It is a core measure of airline commercial performance and influences pricing and capacity decisions.

The practice of selling a fixed number of seats at different prices over time so that total revenue is maximised, using forecasts of demand, booking curves and fare classes. It explains why fares change as departure approaches.

A single-letter code that groups seats sold under the same fare conditions within a cabin, such as Y for full economy or a lower letter for a discounted fare. It determines availability and upgrade eligibility.

A commercial agreement in which one airline markets and sells a flight operated by another airline under its own flight number. The operating carrier's rules apply to handling, while the marketing carrier's fare rules usually govern the ticket.

An arrangement allowing a passenger to travel on two or more airlines under one ticket, with baggage and liability handled between the carriers. It requires formal agreements and standardised documents between the airlines involved.

The deliberate sale of more seats than the aircraft holds, based on expected no-shows. When more passengers arrive than seats exist, the airline seeks volunteers and compensates those denied boarding according to applicable rules.

Refusal to carry a passenger who holds a confirmed reservation and checked in on time, usually because of overbooking or an aircraft change. Compensation, rebooking and care obligations depend on the jurisdiction and the reason.

The quantity of luggage a passenger may carry free of charge, expressed either as a piece concept with weight limits per piece or as a total weight concept. Excess is charged separately, often through an EMD.

Baggage above the free allowance or outside size limits, carried only after payment of a published charge. On multi-carrier journeys the charge may be calculated under the most significant carrier rule.

The process of locating delayed or lost checked baggage using the bag tag number and a Property Irregularity Report filed at the airport. It ends with delivery, or with settlement under the Montreal Convention limits.

A multilateral treaty governing international carriage by air, setting airline liability for death, injury, delay and baggage damage, and requiring passenger documents. Most international air travel today is subject to its limits.

An older international treaty on air carrier liability that still applies to some carriage not covered by the Montreal Convention. Its lower limits and documentary rules make it important when identifying which regime governs a claim.

The United Nations specialised agency that sets international standards for civil aviation, including safety, security, facilitation and licensing through its annexes. Its rules are implemented by national regulators rather than applied directly to passengers.

The global trade association of airlines that develops commercial standards and services, including fare and ticketing rules, the BSP settlement system and dangerous goods regulations. Membership is corporate, not individual.

A system that simplifies settlement between accredited travel agencies and airlines in a country, using one reporting cycle and one bank transfer instead of separate payments to each carrier. It also issues the agency's ticketing authority.

The settlement and accreditation body for travel agencies and airlines in the United States, performing a role comparable to the BSP used elsewhere. It governs ticket reporting and appoints agencies to issue documents.

One of three geographic zones (TC1, TC2, TC3) into which IATA divides the world for fare construction and rule application. The area in which travel occurs determines which fare rules and mileage checks apply.

An airline's obligation toward passengers affected by delay, cancellation or denied boarding, covering meals, refreshments, communication and accommodation where the cause is within the carrier's control. The exact scope depends on the applicable regulation.

Disruptions such as weather, technical faults, strikes or air traffic control restrictions that prevent flights operating as scheduled. Handling them involves rebooking, communication and care, and tests an agent's prioritisation and empathy.

A traveller passing through an airport between two flights without entering the country, usually staying in the transit area. Whether a visa or transit document is needed depends on nationality and airport rules.

Two related selling techniques: an upgrade moves a passenger to a higher cabin, often using miles or a paid bid, while an upsell persuades them to buy a better fare or product at the point of sale. Both raise revenue per passenger.

A ticket whose flight date or time is not yet confirmed, or whose coupon remains unused because the passenger did not travel. It may be valid for later booking within the fare's period, subject to the fare rules.