15/05/2024
Travel Abroad & Flight Terminologies 🔥🔥
For first time travellers, it could be overwhelming to get a grip on the travel terminologies used when flying. No doubt a first-time traveller is engulfed by mixed feelings. There is a bit of excitement to embarking on a trip and the exhausting feeling of apprehension of the unknown.
So, whether it is local or international travel, being conversant of the travel terminologies or what I like to call travel jargon will be a helpful resource.
To ensure adequate preparation for your international trip, it is good to get acquainted with common travel terms frequently used by airlines.
Here are some of the commonly used Terminologies:
Booking Flight or Flight Booking:
✅Non-Stop Flight: This is also referred to as a direct flight. It does not stop anywhere. It flies directly to the final destination country.
✅Layover: Most international flights stop in another country where passengers connect to other flights to continue their journey. Layover means a stopping point between two connecting flights.
Be careful when booking your flight. Ensure there is enough time before your connecting flight departs. This will give you time to complete all security checks and protocols before boarding. And you do not want to miss your flight.
✅Connecting Flight: This is mostly for international flights. It’s a flight that stops at an airport during a trip to allow travellers to switch to other planes and flights to continue their journey. So, if you are going to the United States from Europe, you are likely to stop in another country to switch flights to the USA.
Now, the duration you spend at this airport before boarding your connecting flight is called a layover.
✅Red-eye Flight: This is an overnight flight. The flight takes off in the evening/night from the country of departure and arrives at the destination country the following day during the daytime. Most flights to America from Africa are Red-eye flights.
✅Round Trip: When you purchase a two-way flight ticket. This means you buy a departing and a return ticket together. Buying a round-trip or return ticket is the most cost-effective and a good idea for your travel. However, if you do not have any definite date to return, then you may skip the return ticket.
✅One Way Ticket: Here, travellers book only a one-way flight. It’s either a departing ticket (this can be considered when travelling for study purposes) or an arriving ticket but not both.
✅Baggage Allowance: Every airline has a baggage allowance for their flights. It means the number of luggage a passenger can travel with which does not attract any extra charges.
Again, for every piece of luggage, there is a weight limit. Most airlines have a - 20/23/26kg weight limit for international flights. Ensure you check the airline's baggage policies when booking your flight to avoid any avoidable chaos at the airport.
Failure to adhere to the baggage rules attracts very exorbitant extra charges. The number of baggage allowed also depends on your ticket class or category. First-class ticket holders have more baggage privileges than Business and Economy class ticket holders.
✅Check-in Baggage: This is a large baggage/suitcase that must be checked in by the airline staff. A traveller drops off this baggage at the airline check-in counter. After all the necessary procedures, the baggage is tagged with your information before it’s wheeled off to the aircraft.
This activity should be done before you proceed to the airport security gate. A checked-in bag is collected at the final destination at the baggage claim area. There are signages in airports directing travellers to baggage claims. Keep your eyes on the monitors and directions.
If you are not travelling on a direct flight, check your flight details to make sure your baggage will travel to your final destination without having to be retrieved and re-checked at your layover airport.
✅Carry-on Bag: Passengers are entitled to a small piece of luggage that they can carry with them into the aircraft. The weight of this bag is usually between 8 – 12 Kg depending on the airline. And, also depends on the ticket category.
✅Personal Item: Besides the Carry-on bag, a passenger can carry a small bag with them on the flight too. Typically, these may be Handbags, Backpacks, Briefcase, etc. However, the bag must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you on the plane.
Again, it is better to check with the airline if both the personal item and the carry-on bag are allowed. Some airlines do not allow both. So, check the valid information before departing.
✅Add-on: During the booking of flights, there are additional services by the airline which attract extra charges. So, in addition to a flight reservation, you may be prompted to add certain features such as priority seat selection, priority boarding, in-flight Wi-Fi, and extra baggage. Be aware that these add-ons incur an extra cost
✅Electronic Ticket (E-ticket): The E-ticket makes travelling easy. Your ticket and boarding pass is sent to your email or phone number. Your travel itineraries are sent to your mobile devices.
Most airlines open the online check-in, where you can download your electronic ticket within 24/72 hours of the boarding time. Take note that if you have check-in bags, you will still need to check them in at the airline counter at the airport.
But if you have no check-in bag, with your E-ticket, you can go directly to the security gate upon arrival at the airport.
✅Boarding Pass: Without the Boarding Pass, you will not be allowed to board your flight. Often, during online check-in, you are issued the boarding pass which must be downloaded. But experience has shown that this boarding pass can be changed when you arrive at the airport. And a new boarding pass can be issued. This important document is crucial in your journey.
✅Boarding and Departure Time: Don’t be confused with these terms. There are boarding times and the actual departure time for any flight.
Your boarding pass will indicate the flight’s boarding and departure times. While at the airport, check the monitors for the display of flight schedules. This is important as boarding gates can be changed.
Ensure to be at the boarding gate in good time so that you do not miss your flight.
✅Check-in Counter: This is the airline’s counter at the airport where you drop off your baggage for check-in into the aircraft. You can also be issued a boarding pass at this counter by the airline officials.
✅Security Gate: After you’ve dropped off your checked baggage, the next thing is to proceed to the security gate. Here, your carry-on bags are scrutinized and all other security checks are done. Prohibited items can be thrown out if you have them in your carry-on bags. Liquids should not be brought to the security gate.
✅Boarding Gate: The final place before you board your flight. It is where you will wait to board your flight. The gate is usually stated on the boarding pass or in the case of any change; it will be displayed on the Monitors across the airport. Be at the boarding gate and wait until boarding time.
✅Arrival Hall: The area of the airport where passengers arrive after a flight. This is where your friends or family members can wait for your arrival.
✅Baggage Claim: This is where you go to claim your checked-in baggage upon arrival at your final destination. Sometimes, you realize that your checked baggage did not arrive with you. Do not panic if you experience this. Report to the airline staff and follow the procedures by filling out a form stating vital contact information.
✅Lost Luggage Office: There is an office stationed at baggage claim that handles cases of missing or lost items. If your bags are missing, report to this office. There is always an officer to attend to you.
I hope this helps anyone travelling for the first time.
Credit: Stella Owalla
