Airline Glossary (2024)

Aircraft Utilization

The hours and minutes in a day an aircraft is used.

ASM (Available Seat Mile)

One seat (empty or full) flown one mile. Often referred to as the airlines industry’s measure of capacity.

Average Length of Haul

The average distance in miles a paying passenger is flown.

Average Passenger Fare

The average amount of passenger revenue per Revenue Passenger Carried.

Average Stage Length

The average distance in miles the aircraft is flown per trip.

CASM (Operating Expenses (Cost) per Available Seat Mile)

The average cost of flying an aircraft seat (empty or full) one mile. Often referred to as a “unit cost” measurement. Calculated as Total Operating Expenses/Total Available Seat Miles.

DOT (Department of Transportation)

Established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, the DOT consists of the Office of the Secretary and eleven individual operating administrations. Leadership of the DOT is provided by the Secretary of Transportation, who is the principal adviser to the President in all matters relating to federal transportation programs.

Enplaned Passenger

One passenger, originating or connecting, boarded on an aircraft.

Load Factor

The percentage of a plane filled with paying passengers. Calculated as Revenue Passenger Miles/Available Seat Miles.

Passenger Yield (Passenger Revenue Yield per Revenue Passenger Mile)

The average amount of revenue received per paying passenger flown one mile. Calculated as Passenger Revenues/Revenue Passenger Miles.

PRASM (Passenger Revenue per Available Seat Mile)

Passenger Revenue per seat (empty or full) flown one mile. Often referred to as a “passenger unit revenue” measurement. Calculated as Passenger Revenues/Available Seat Miles.

RASM (Revenue per Available Seat Mile)

Total Operating Revenue per seat (empty or full) flown one mile. Often referred to as a “unit revenue” measurement. Calculated as Total Operating Revenues/Available Seat Miles.

Revenue Passengers Carried

The number of Origination and Destination (O&D) paying passengers. (O&D – a measure of the point of origination of a passenger to the final destination).

RPM (Revenue Passenger Mile)

One paying passenger flown one mile. Often referred to as the airline industry’s measure of “traffic”.

Trips Flown

Number of one-way nonstop flights by all aircraft.

Airline Glossary (2024)

FAQs

Why do flight attendants say cross check? ›

It's an instruction to set the doors to automatic mode so that emergency evacuation slides will deploy when the door is opened. The cross-check means that after arming their assigned door, the flight attendant should check that their opposite number has also armed their door.

What is the mnemonic for aviation? ›

Another commonly used mnemonic is GUMPS, which is a before-landing checklist. It stands for gas, undercarriage, mixture, propeller, and seat belts and switches. Instrument-rated pilots are very familiar with the acronym that we learned as students to ensure all elements of a clearance are received.

What do flight attendants say before take off? ›

Pre-flight Announcement

We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off.

How do you say 10,000 in aviation? ›

Controllers and pilots are frequently misunderstood due to their use of improper phraseology.
  1. "We had understood and read back 'descending to 10,000. ...
  2. "To correct future problems like this, the altitude should be given in the form of 'ten thousand' or 'eleven thousand', instead of saying 'one-zero', or 'one-one-thousand.

Why do cabin crew sit on their hands? ›

"It's a safety position," Hilary Clark, director of in-flight services with private jet company Planet 9, tells Travel + Leisure. "The reason for this safety position is if an emergency were to occur on takeoff or landing, their head, hands, and arms are already in a slight brace position."

What does 3 dings on a plane mean? ›

According to Cimato, hearing three chimes in a row on a flight is extremely rare. But, if you do happen to hear that sound, it means there's an emergency, he explains.

What are the 5 C's of aviation? ›

Aircraft pilots are taught to follow a list of critical steps if they become lost while in flight: Confess, Climb, Conserve, Communicate, and Comply. Often referred to as the “Lost 5 C's,” some variations add a sixth tag word like “Circle” (in order to take better stock of one's exact location).

What are the 5 P's checklist aviation? ›

You might simply write these words on your kneeboard, or add a reference to the Five Ps to your checklist for key decision points during the flight. These include preflight, pre-takeoff, cruise, pre-descent, and just prior to the final approach fix or, for VFR operations, just prior to entering the traffic pattern.

What does vodka stand for in aviation? ›

The acronym most taught to IFR students is VODGA. This stands for VOT, Ownship, Dual, Ground, Air. Let's take a closer look at the steps to check your VOR receiver using this acronym.

What do flight attendants say when they find you attractive? ›

'When you're standing there going 'buh-bye, thank you, take care' etc when you see someone you fancy, you say 'cheerio'. ' 'You need to do it with a buddy and the challenge is to keep a straight face.

What do pilots say when there is turbulence? ›

When turbulence is anticipated or suddenly encountered, the Captain will turn on the FASTEN SEATBELT sign. If turbulence is severe, the Captain will make an announcement “Flight Attendants please be seated”. Immediately discontinue service and return to your jumpseat or sit in the nearest available seat.

What is the first thing flight attendants notice? ›

How fit you are. Because their first concern is safety, what flight attendants notice about you has much to do with your ability to keep yourself and others safe. They'll make a mental note of passengers who are in good shape and who can help lift heavy items and lend a hand if necessary.

What is the one sixty rule in aviation? ›

There is a wonderful principle in aviation called the 1 in 60 rule. Simply put, it means that after 60 nautical miles, a one-degree error in heading will result in being off course by one nautical mile. It's a basic rule that's taught to pilots to aid navigation.

How do pilots say zero? ›

Pilots mostly pronounce numbers as in regular English but with a few exceptions. Zero (0) is always “zero,” not “oh.” Three (3) becomes “tree.” Five (5) becomes “fife.” Nine (9) becomes “niner.”

How do pilots say 9? ›

The number nine (9) is pronounced “niner.”

Is cross-checking illegal? ›

Cross-checking is an infraction in the sport of ice hockey and ringette where a player checks an opponent by using the shaft of their ice hockey stick or ringette stick with both hands. This article deals chiefly with ice hockey.

What is the full meaning of cross-check? ›

: to check (something, such as data or reports) from various angles or sources to determine validity or accuracy. cross-check.

What does the term cross-check mean? ›

to make certain that information, a calculation, etc., is correct, by asking a different person or using a different method of calculation: We used to cross-check the information in the reports and never relied on a single source.

Who says cabin crew doors to automatic and cross-check? ›

10 "Doors to automatic and cross-check"

"Doors to manual and cross-check" is said by the senior crew member when the aircraft stops at the stand after a flight and the doors are set by the cabin crew to disarm the slide. The cross-check is when each crew member checks that the other's door is in the correct position.

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