Abbreviations & Explanations

*
  • *A: Star Alliance (UA, LH, NZ etc.)
  • *O: oneworld Alliance (QF, AA, BA, CX etc.)
  • *S: Skyteam Alliance (DL, AF etc.)
oneworld
  • *O: "oneworld"
  • *E: oneworld Emerald (QF WP, AA EXP, CX Diamond, BAEC Gold etc.)
  • *S: (oneworld context) oneworld Sapphire (QF SG, AA Plat, BAEC Silver, etc.)
  • *R oneworld ruby (QF PS, AA Gold, AEC Silver, etc.)
Star Alliance
  • *A: "Star Alliance"
  • *G: Star Alliance Gold (NZ *E/*G etc. ...)
  • *S: (Star Alliance context) Star Alliance Silver (NZ *S etc.)
A
  • A: Discounted First booking class (see also F)
  • AA: American Airlines (see also LOC)
  • AACT: AA Candy Thief a.k.a. AA Platinum status member
  • AC: Aircraft, also Heavy AC: Very large aircraft e.g. 747, 767 and 777.
  • AC: Air Canada
  • ADL: Adelaide airport
  • AF: Air France
  • AFAIK: "As Far As I Know"
  • AFF: Australian Frequent Flyer forum - a.k.a. THIS forum.
  • AIUI: "As I understand It"
  • AKL: Auckland airport
  • ALTEA: An Amadeus product to assist in the planning/loading of Passenger Flights
  • AM: Aeromexico
  • AMADEUS: A GDS - Qantas use this as their booking system.
  • OC: Air Operator’s Certificate (see also OC)
  • AONE4: A (Fiirst) ONE (OneWorld Explorer) 4 (4 Continents)
  • APEC: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
  • APEX: Advance Purchase Excursion fares, usually the lowest available.
  • AQ: Aloha Airlines
  • AQIS: Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services
  • AS: Alaska Airlines
  • ASA/ASR: Qantas Frequent Flyer "Any Seat Awards/Rewards" - QFF Point redemption bookings that earn QFF points and SC's
  • ATB: Automated ticket/boarding pass (electronically generated).
  • ATC: Air Traffic Control
  • ATW: Around The World e.g. AA ATW desk
  • AVIOS: BA frequent flyer "miles"
  • AVML: Asian vegetarian meal
  • AVOD: Audio Visual On Demand
  • AY: Finnair
  • AZ: Alitalia
B
  • B6: Jetblue Airways
  • BA: British Airways
  • BFOD: Best Fare of The Day - Cheapest fare that is available at the time of booking [could be any carrier]
  • BiB: "Butt in Bed" e.g. I earned my Hotel status through BIB stays, I was not Comped!
  • BICNPC: "But I Could Not Possibly Comment"
  • BiS: "Butt in Seat" e.g. BIS miles = actual miles flown, excluding bonuses.
  • BNE: Brisbane airport
  • BNM: "By No Means"
  • BR: EVA Airways
  • BTC: Business travel Card -as in APEC BTC
  • BTW: "By The Way"
  • BUTI: "Booking under the "influence" (Seemed like a good idea at the time .., Hic!.)
  • BW: BWIA West Indies Airways
C
  • CA: Air China
  • CASA: Civil Aviation Safety Authority (a.k.a. CAA)
  • CASR: Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (a.k.a. CAR)
  • CBR: Canberra airport
  • CC: Credit Card
  • CI: China Airlines
  • CIP: Commercially Important Passenger
  • CIR: Circle Pacific fare
  • CL: Chairman’s Lounge – QF’s highest member tier/ lounge (also QFCL).
  • CL: Crown Lager – "Premium Beer" (some dispute this) available at QP's
  • CLPO: Chairmans Lounge Platinum One [Cabin Crew Parlance]
  • CNS: Cairns airport
  • CO: Continental Airlines
  • Comped: Being granted extra-ordinary elite status without achieving normal set criteria.
  • COS¹: Class of Service, can be bonuses (e.g. First COS bonus) or lounge access (via First Class).
  • COS²: Customer of Size - Passenger who has trouble fitting into a standard WHY seat.
  • CRS: Computerized Reservation System
  • CS: Customer Service. Add an "A" for Agent or "R" for Rep.
  • CTOs: City Ticket Offices, or non-airport airline offices.
  • CX: Cathay Pacific Airways
  • CZ: China Southern Airlines
D
  • D: Discounted Business booking class (see also J)
  • DCIR22: D (Business) CIR (Circle Pacific) 22 (22,000 MPM)
  • DJ: Virgin Blue / Virgin Australia
  • DL: Delta Air Lines
  • DM List: Departure Management list, used by airlines at boarding gates.
  • DONE4: D (Business) ONE (OneWorld Explorer) 4 (4 Continents)
  • DRW: Darwin airport
  • DVT: Deep Vein Thrombosis
  • DYKWIA: "Do/Don't You Know Who I Am"? (Generally arrogant in context)
E
  • E+: United's "Economy Plus"
  • E-: The remainder of the United Economy section after E+ rows.
  • EI: Aer Lingus
  • EGR: Electronic Upgrades = "Paperless" upgrades - Also EUG.
  • EL: Executive Lounge (Generally found in upmarket hotels)
  • EMR: Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Enhancement: Used to describe a change by an airline that removes/degrades advantages or benefits previously available
  • EQM: Elite Qualifying Miles - see also "Q Miles".
  • ETA: Electronic Travel Authority
  • ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival
  • EUG: Electronic upgrades
  • EXP: Executive Platinum on American AAdvantage.
F
  • F: Full-fare First booking class OR generic First (see also A)
  • FASA: Qantas Frequent Flyer "Any Seat Award" in First class (earns SC's)
  • F/O: First Officer, a.k.a. Co-Pilot
  • F9: Frontier Airlines
  • FA: Flight Attendant
  • FAA: Federal Aviation Administration
  • FARs: Federal Aviation Regulations
  • FF: Frequent Flyer - Also VFF, a Very Frequent Flyer.
  • FFP: Frequent Flyer Program
  • FI: Icelandair
  • FIM: Flight Interrupt Manifest - Instrument between carriers to pay for a seat on another airline in the case of IRROPS
  • FL¹: AA Flagship Lounge
  • FL²: First Class lounge (general)
  • Flounge: First Class Lounge
  • Flounging: Using/Enjoying the benefits of a first class airline lounge
  • FOC¹: Free of Charge
  • FOC²: "Fear of Coach or Economy class"
  • FT: Abbreviation for FlyerTalk at FlyerTalk - The world's most popular frequent flyer community
  • FTers: FlyerTalkers -- all members who participate in FlyerTalk forums.
  • FWIW: "For What It's Worth"
G
  • GDS: "global distribution system" Major CRS operation that books and sells tickets for airlines
  • GHLAM: "Good Hard Look At Myself"
  • GP: Gold Passport, the Hyatt frequent stay program.
H
  • HA: Hawaiian Airlines
  • HBA: Hobart airport
  • HH: Hilton Honors - the Hilton frequent stay program
  • HHOK: "Ha Ha Only Kidding"
  • HIP: Higher Intermediate Point
  • HLO: Hand Luggage Only (Preferred method of many Frequent Flyers)
  • HP: Hahn Premium
  • HUACA: Hang Up and Call Again - If you're not getting what you want from a Telephone Agent, politely end the call and redial.
  • HUPP: "Instant Upgrade" fare available in the USA. "Economy" fare that books into First/Business class. (See YUPP/KUPP)
  • HVC: "High Value Customer" - Term used by ailines to indicate those they make the most nett revenue from.
  • HWNTBA: "He who needs to be amused" (see SWMBO)
I
  • I: Deep discount (heavily restricted) business booking class (see also J, D) (NB: I represents other classes/ codes too e.g. *A business award & upgrade booking code)
  • IANAL: I am Not a Lawyer (Disclaimer, generally placed before "But, <legal stuff>"
  • IATA: International Air Transport Association
  • IB: Iberia
  • ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organisation
  • IDB: Involuntarily Denied Boarding. Airlines usually offer compensation.
  • IFE: In Flight Entertainment (also AVOD IFE)
  • IHG: Intercontinental Hotels Group (See PC)
  • IIRC: "If I Recall Correctly"
  • IKE: "I know everything"
  • ILS: Instrument Landing System (bad weather)
  • IME: In My Experience
  • IMO: "In My Opinion" or
  • IMHO -- "In My Humble/Honest Opinion"
  • INSPass: A pass allowing expedited passage - US Customs/ Immigration.
  • ISTR: "I seem to recall/remember"
  • IVML: Indian vegetarian meal
J
  • J: Full-fare Business booking class OR generic Business (see also D)
  • JASA: Qantas Frequent Flyer "Any Seat Award" in Business class (earns SC's)
  • JI: Midway Airlines
  • JL: Japan Airlines
  • JM: Air Jamaica
  • JR: Aero California
  • JQ: Jet Star
  • JQi: Jet Star International
K
  • KE: Korean Air
  • KL: KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines
  • KUPP: "Instant Upgrade" fare available in the USA. "Economy" fare that books into First/Business class. (See HUPP/YUPP)
  • KVML: Kosher vegetarian meal
L
  • LA: Lan-Chile
  • LAG(
  • S): Liquid(s), Aerosol(s) and Gel(s) - Pertains to travel restrictions
  • LCC: Low Cost Carrier
  • LH: Lufthansa
  • LMAO: "Laughing My @rse Off"
  • LM: Lifemiles (Avianca Frequent Flyer Scheme [good for reasonable priced mile purchase for *A award redemptions])
  • LO: Lot Polish Airlines
  • LOC: (AA's) Lack Of Challenge a.k.a. AA's platinum challenge
  • LOL: "Laugh(ing) Out Loud"
  • LOTFAP: Land Of The Free And Paranoid a.k.a. The U.S.A.
  • LP: Lan Peru
  • LX: Swiss International Air Lines
  • LY: El Al Israel Airlines
M
  • MA: Malev-Hungarian Airlines
  • MASA: Qantas term for Marginal Any Seat award (Includes JASA, FASA, WASA and YASA)
  • MCO: Miscellaneous Charge Orders, issued by airlines for ticket refunds etc.
  • MCT: Minimum Connection Time
  • MEL: Melbourne airport
  • MH: Malaysia Airlines
  • MHC: Mile High Club
  • MPM: Maximum Permitted Mileage (e.g. RTW fares have MPM limits).
  • MR¹: Mileage Run, extended flight trip/segments to increase one's FF Miles/Status
  • MR²: Mattress Run, multiple stays at hotels to increase one's Hotel Elite Status
  • MS: Egyptair
  • MSC: Most Significant Carrier-Checked luggage allowance for multi carrier trip - IATA Res.302
  • MU: China Eastern Airlines
  • MX: Mexicana de Aviacion
N
  • N7: National Airlines
  • NB: "Nuthin" Bronze – A Bronze member of QFs FF program (also QFNB).
  • NGCI: New Generation Check-in - Qantas' automated domestic check-in system.
  • NH: All Nippon Airways, also known as ANA.
  • NM: Nelly Mobbs – an infamous AFF & FT member
  • NRSA: Non-revenue space available e.g. unpaid airline staff travel.
  • NW: Northwest Airlines
  • NZ: Air New Zealand
O
  • O7: OzJet
  • OB: [Old]Blue - Former 1st Tier Status with Qantas Frequent Flyer Program (Now PS)
  • OC: (Air) Operator's Certificate a.k.a. AOC - license to operate aircraft
  • O&D: Origins & Destinations
  • ODU: On Departure Upgrade - available in QP's for Qantas Domestic flights on eligible fares
  • OG: [Old]Gold - Former Top Tier Status with Qantas Frequent Flyer Program (Now WP - sometimes employed by old f@rts who have 5/6 digit QFF numbers)
  • OK: Czech Airlines = CSA
  • OLCI: On-Line Check In
  • OMG: Oh My God e.g. OMG o'clock = very very early.
  • OMNI: Anything not related to travel, miles, points, dining, airports etc.
  • ONE: OneWorld Explorer fare (also OWE)
  • O/W: One way
  • OW: One World alliance – Qantas, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, AA etc.
  • OWE: OneWorld Explorer fare (also ONE)
  • OOL: Gold Coast (cOOLongatta) airport
  • OP¹: Original Post - first post of a thread.
  • OP²: Original Poster - the person who started the thread.
  • Op-up: Short for operational upgrade or Bump.
  • OS¹: Austrian Airlines
  • OS²: [Old]Sliver - Former 2nd Tier Status with Qantas Frequent Flyer Program (Now SG)
  • OT: "Off Topic"
  • OTTOMH: "Off the top of my head"
  • OWT: Onward Travel
  • OZ¹: Asiana Airlines
  • Oz/OZ²: Ozstralia!
P
  • PAX: Short for passenger(s). See also SLF.
  • PC: Priority Club - Reward/Status scheme for IHG
  • PCV: "Perceived Customer Value" a figure calculated by Airlines to prioritise passengers.
  • PER: Perth airport
  • PIFE: Personal In Flight Entertainment (one screen per seat)
  • PIN: Personal Identification Number
  • PK: Pakistan International Airlines
  • PNR: Passenger Name Record, used as a reference to a specific reservation.
  • POTUS: President Of The United States of America
  • PP: Priority Pass - Paid Airport Lounge access scheme, not Aligned with any Airline
  • PR: Philippine Airlines
  • PS: "Plebian" Silver – A Silver member of QFs FF program (also QFPS).
  • PUTI: Posting under the "influence" (can result in less rational posts than normal - Hic!)
Q
  • QANTAS: Queers And Nymphomaniacs Trained As Stewards*
  • Q MILES: Qualifying miles counting towards Elite status - also EQM.
  • QC: Qantas Club (see also QP) or Quick Check-in.
  • QF: Qantas Airways
  • QFCL: Qantas CL member (with access to QF’s Choice Liquor).
  • QFF: Qantas Frequent Flyer Program
  • QFWP: Qantas "W*nker" Platinum - A platinum member of QFs FF program.
  • QFSG: Qantas "Scum" Gold – A Gold member of QFs FF program.
  • QFPS: Qantas "Plebian" Silver – A Silver member of QFs FF program.
  • QFNB: Qantas "Nuthin" Bronze – A Bronze member of QFs FF program.
  • QP: Qantas Pub a.k.a. QC or Qantas airport departure lounges.
  • QR: Qatar Airways.
    * This acronym is included for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to cause offence.
R
  • RG: Varig airlines
  • RO: Tarom-Romanian Air Transport
  • ROE: Rate Of Exchange
  • ROFLMAO: "Rolling On the Floor Laughing My A$$ Off"
  • RPT: Regular Public Transport
  • RT: Round or Return Trip
  • RTFM: "Read The F***ingFlaming Manual"
  • RTW: 'round the World ticket
  • RVML: Raw vegetarian meal
S
  • S2: Air Sahara
  • S7: S7 Airlines
  • SA: South African Airways
  • SACL: Sydney Airports Corporation Limited
  • SATS: Singapore Airport Terminal Services.
  • SC: Status Credit
  • SCRUN: Status Credit "Run" - Qantas' version of MR¹
  • SFSC: Self Funded Status Chaser
  • SG: "Scum" Gold – A Gold member of QFs FF program (also QFSG).
  • SK: SAS - Scandinavian Airlines System
  • SLF: Self Loading Freight - flight crew lingo for Passengers.
  • SN: Sabena airlines
  • SO: Significant Other, referring to one’s partner.
  • SPG: Starwood Preferred Guest
  • SQ: Singapore Airlines
  • SR: Status Run
  • SSR: Special Service Request in relation to a booking. (e.g. special meal, wheelchair, ...)
  • SSSS: Selected for Secondary Security Screening
  • ST: Sky Team alliance
  • SV: Saudi Arabian airlines
  • SWMBO: She Who Must Be Obeyed - Wife/"Other/Better Half"/"The Mrs" (Rumpolesque term)
  • SWP: South West Pacific
  • SWU: System Wide Upgrade (for any segment in an airline's route system)
  • SY: Sun Country Airlines
  • SYD: Sydney airport
T
  • T-14: Days before (Velocity) SG and WP could select seats on Virgin Australia Domestic flights (not applicable since SABRE)
  • T-80: The time (or shortly afterwards, 3⅓ days) when seating may get opened up on Qantas flights
  • T/O: Take off
  • TA: Travel Agent
  • TBIT: Tom Bradley International Terminal - the main International terminal as LAX (Los Angeles)
  • TCP: "To Complete Party" - term used when bookings/PNR's are "linked"
  • TG: Thai Airways
  • TIX: Short for tickets
  • TK: Turkish Airlines
  • TODA: Take Off Distance Available - Runway distance available for Takoff after Aircraft lines up to do so
  • TP: TAP - Air Portugal
  • T-Pac: Trans Pacific
  • TR: Trip Report
  • TSA: Transportation Security Administration
  • TSV: Townsville airport
  • TT¹,T-T: Trans-Tasman
  • TT²: Tiger Airway (Oz) carrier Prefix
  • TWMBO: They Who Must Be Obeyed
  • TZ: American Trans Air
U
  • UA: United Airlines
  • UC: Upgrade Credit
  • UD: Upper Deck on larger aircraft, like the 744.
  • UM: Unaccompanied Minor, or a child traveling alone.
  • UG: UpGrade - such as from economy to business, or business to first.
  • US: US Airways
  • USDM: US Airways Dividend Miles - good for reasonably priced mile purchase for award redemptions
V
  • VA: V-Australia or Virgin Australia
  • VDB: Voluntary denied boarding, more commonly known as a "bump".
  • Velocity: Virgin Australia's Frequren Flyer Scheme
  • VFR: Visual Flight Rules (good weather)
  • VS: Virgin Atlantic Airways
  • VV: Vice versa (Often used here to represent the reverse of a routing)
W
  • WASA: Qantas Frequent Flyer "Any Seat Award" in Premium Economy class (earns SC's)
  • WHY - Generic Economy/Coach class - see Y (as in Why am I here?)
  • WN: Southwest Airlines
  • WP: "W*nker" Platinum - A platinum member of QFs FF program (also QFWP).
  • WP1: "W*nker" Platinum - The Uber Elite platinum level of QFF member of QFs FF program (also WP1 or WPx3).
  • WRT: "With Regards To"
  • WTF: What the Fcuk?
  • WTMD: Walk Through Metal Detector
  • WT+: BA's World Traveller Plus (premium economy class)
Y
  • Y: Full-fare Economy booking class OR generic Economy.
  • YASA: Qantas Frequent Flyer "Any Seat Award" in Economy class (earns SC's)
  • YGM: "You’ve got mail"
  • YGPM: "You've Got Private Mail"
  • YMMV: "Your Mileage May Vary"
  • YMSTBICNPC: "You May Say That But I Can Not Possibly Comment (discretion)"
  • YMTT: "You Might Think That"
  • YUPP: "Instant Upgrade" fare available in the USA. "Economy" fare that books into First/Business class. (See HUPP/KUPP)
  • YV: Mesa Airlines
  • YX: Midwest Express
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