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Airline Travel Lingo! Does The Language Need An Interpret |
by: Craig
Davis |
With airline travel increasing
in record numbers, more people are experiencing the frustration
of understanding the airlines industry language, and leaving them
feeling that they need an interpreter for the travel information
they're receiving from the airline industry! It seems that air
companies think that every individual that flies should have to
understand all that travel Jargon they place on their flight reservations,
and maybe it's about time we figure out what they're talking about,
because it's costing you money and valuable time!
Once you learn all the airlines travel terms, you won't be dependent
on your local travel agent anymore, and he/she won't be able to
collect all the wonderful service fees from you for being your
traveling interpreter.
The price of your travel flight is based on many intricate components
that the airlines reservations department implement, not to purposely
confuse you, but to formulate their airfares and determine what
they need to charge each passenger for all flights taken.
Now if you already know most of these airlines flight terms, then
that's ok. However, there are many people that are new to traveling,
and are now beginning to use online air suppliers to capitalize
on the great deals they offer. But when you're making that reservation,
you want to understand why the flight you selected is so cheap,
and what are the reasons for the low pricing.
Misunderstanding in Airline Terms can cost you more money!
Most of the airlines service terms you will come across will play
a big factor on whether you pay an expensive price for you ticket,
or getting the discounted travel deals you're looking for in the
first place. I will explain the most common industry terms that
many people get confused about:
Nonstop versus Direct or Through Service: Don't get this
one confused, because many airline companies don't explain this
properly. Nonstop means exactly that, and most travelers want
these flights, so they book-up quickly. You fly from your origin
and land at your desired destination without any stops in between.
Direct or Through Service: This can get a little confusing
to many individuals. The aircraft even though is en route directly
to your destination, it may be making some routine stops on the
way, and all passengers must remain on the plane at that time.
There are many times when you print your ticket that it will not
list the cities that it will be landing in, so it is always wise
to investigate a little further, and see how long the stop is
going to be in each individual city.
Connecting Flight: When you're on this type of service
flight, now this is treated differently than the other services
above. With this type of flight the plane travels from one city
to another, however, the passengers must change aircrafts at some
point between the origin city and the destination city.
On-line Connections: This is when you change an aircraft
but continue to fly with the same carrier. So if you're flying
form Los Angeles to New York on American Airlines. If you make
a stop for example in Denver, you will change planes at that airport,
but with the same American Airline carrier.
Interline Connection: This is when you as a passenger changes
airplanes, but instead of boarding the same company plane you
will be on a different airline. For this example, you're flying
from Seattle, Washington en route to San Antonio, Texas. If you
were on a United flight, you will have a stop in a city in-between
your origin and destination, and let say you have to get on an
American carrier to continue your journey. The main reason for
this is that the particular airline company may not be flying
into certain cities due to particular business reasons, so then
they share with competing airline business companies.
Open Jaw: No it's not when you see the price of your ticket
and your jaw drops. This trip is one in which you depart out of
one city, and later return from another city. For example: you
fly from San Diego, California to New York City, and then return
back home from the city of Boston back to San Diego. This can
dramatically increase your airline ticket, so if you're looking
to visit a family member in another city that you arrived in,
and then depart out of another city where your families live,
then carefully check and make sure you understand this term.
Consolidators: A consolidator can be your friend if you
understand how they work. Simply put, they purchase tickets from
an airline at a rate less than the tariff, with the intention
of reselling the tickets to either you the public or travel agencies.
They buy tickets in bulk from air carrier companies, and therefore
offer substantial savings. If you happen to be wondering what
a tariff is, it's basically set pricing, rules, and regulations
all put in place by authorized organizations in the airline industry.
Lets talk types of Fares! If you're searching for fares online,
you will come across a list of different terminologies for your
ticket, and it will reflect on the price you end up paying. The
airlines distinguish certain fare prices by the terms normal or
restricted.
Normal Fares: A normal fare is first class, business class,
and economy. These have no restrictions such as advanced reservation
requirements or minimum stay stipulations. Such flights are valid
for one year from the date of the first flight and can be extended
if not used within that period.
Restricted Excursion and Discounted Fares: These have certain
restrictions, and that is why they are cheaper to purchase. They're
sold with a number of conditions attached, which most require
advanced reservations, and there is normally a minimum and sometimes
a maximum stay requirement. Travel dates are pre-determined, and
any changes in most cases are subject to a penalty, or at times
you can't make any changes at all! Airlines limit the number of
seats at these fares to encourage travelers to book early.
With an understanding how the air travel industry communicates,
and how they determine a flight schedule and pricing, you will
eventually be able to speak their language, prevent air lingo
confusion, and obtain the best flight itinerary and price with
this new knowledge! |
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