American Airlines Abbreviations & Terminology

Flashcards covering key abbreviations and terminology used by American Airlines.

A/C (or) AC

Abbreviation for 'aircraft'.

AAdvantage® Program

The member loyalty (frequent flyer) program for American Airlines.

AFT

The rear/back portion of the airplane.

Aircraft Left

The left side of the aircraft when standing in the aisle looking forward towards the flight deck.

Aircraft Right

The right side of the aircraft when standing in the aisle looking forward towards the flight deck.

Aisle

The walkway through the center of the aircraft.

APU

Auxiliary Power Unit; provides ground power to the aircraft when engines are not running.

Bid, Bidding

The process of submitting a request, typically for schedules or bases.

Brief, Briefing

To convey information to others.

Bulkhead

A partition/wall used to divide the aircraft cabin.

BC

Business Class.

CA

Captain; the aircraft commander.

Cabin

The aircraft interior, including customer seating area and galleys.

CC / SS

Coat Closet / Storage Space.

ConciergeKey®

An exclusive program within the AAdvantage® Program for top customers.

Compliance Check

Verification that customers adhere to safety requirements.

Deadhead, Deadheading, Deadheader, DHD

A crewmember traveling on company business as a passenger.

Departure Dependability

Preflight meeting between lead flight attendant and the gate agent.

Doghouse

An enclosed storage area onboard the aircraft.

Exit Row Seating

Seats that allow direct access to an exit without entering an aisle.

FA

Flight Attendant.

FA Crew Base (or) Base

An operational city assigned to FAs for trip origin and termination.

FAA

Federal Aviation Administration; the U.S. agency that monitors air carriers.

FAR

Federal Aviation Regulations; laws administered by the FAA.

FAA Minimum Crew

The minimum number of FA crewmembers required to operate a flight.

FC (or) F/C

First Class; premium seating located at the front of the aircraft.

Flight Deck

The forward portion of the aircraft where pilots sit.

FO

First Officer; the second in command of the aircraft.

FSB

Fasten Seatbelt Sign; illuminates when seatbelts must be fastened.

FWD

Forward; the front portion of the aircraft.

Galley

Area where food/beverage is stowed and prepared.

IFE

Inflight Entertainment; onboard entertainment system.

IFM

Inflight Manual; a reference to company policies for FAs.

Jetbridge

An extendable bridge for customer access to aircraft.

JS

Jumpseat; retractable seat for crewmembers.

Lavatory or Lav

Restroom facilities onboard an aircraft.

MC

Main Cabin; the aft portion of the aircraft.

MOGT

Minimum On-Ground Time; time for deplaning and servicing the aircraft.

Narrowbody

An aircraft with a single aisle.

Non-Rev

Non-Revenue; an employee using personal travel benefits.

OE

Operating Experience; an FAA-required trip for trainees.

OHB

Overhead Bin; for stowing carry-on luggage.

PA

Public Address; announcement to passengers onboard.

PE

Premium Economy; a portion of main cabin with larger seats.

PED

Portable Electronic Device; battery-powered devices used by customers.

Pre-Departure Beverage (PDB)

Beverage service during boarding in premium seating.

PSU

Passenger Service Unit; above customers' seats with ventilation and light controls.

Purser

The lead flight attendant on select international routes.

Push-Back

When the aircraft is pushed backwards away from the gate.

Ramp

The paved area around the terminal for aircraft operations.

Ramp Stand

Movable stairway for customer boarding/deplaning.

Runway

The roadway on which aircraft take off and land.

Slide / Evacuation Slide

An inflatable slide used to evacuate passengers in emergencies.

SOP

Standard Operating Procedure; step-by-step instructions for operations.

Stow

To put away.

Sterile Flight Deck

Period with no communication between FA and flight deck crew.

Taxi

Movement of the aircraft on the ground under its own power.

Taxiway

Roadway connecting runways with ramps and terminals.

Through Flight

A single flight with one or more intermediate stops.

TSA

Transportation Security Administration; safeguards U.S. transportation.

Turn

Process of deplaning, servicing, and boarding an aircraft.

WBT

Web-based Training; method for employee training outside of classrooms.

Widebody

An aircraft with two aisles.