OBJECTIVES:
Define airline industry terminologyExplain how types of aircraft differCategorize airline typesDescribe what factors affect air ticket
pricesDecipher the codes of major airportsDescribe airport procedures
First you arrive: in car, taxi, bus At curbside: give luggage to Skycap-
luggage handler who will check your bags (expects a tip) or…
Keep your bags and stand in the regular line at check-in counter (some airports have self-check in lines) (some have business and first class lines which are faster)
The Airport Experience.
The Airport Experience.
You show photo ID to a service representative
Service rep prints a boarding pass and gives to you
You take luggage to security screener where luggage is screened and sent to the plane
You are then directed to the gate where the flight will depart
The Airport Experience.
You may shop at some of the airport stores
You go to security, show boarding pass, ID, and your carry-on bag is scanned
You go through a metal detector
You may shop more at other stores near the boarding gate
The Airport Experience.
You are seated at the gate for 35-50 minutes for boarding to commence
You are directed to board the plane according to row numbers starting from the back of the plane
You show your boarding pass as you board the plane-take your seat-have a nice flight-enjoy the view
The Airport Experience.
If you were on an international flight you would have to show a passport
You would have to go through Immigration which deals with citizenship, people, purpose of trip etc.
You would have to go through Customs which deals with things such as items purchases abroad
Airport and Aviation Management
Divided into 4 main groupsAirport ManagementFixed-base OperatorsAirport Ancillary ServicesGovernment Organizations
Management Fixed-base Service Ancillary Government
Airport Management
Makes the operations of an airport efficient, safe, and profitable
Some airports are owned by the govt. some are private
Some duties include: administration, operations, marketing, finance, maintenance, safety security, policing, firefighting
Management
Fixed-base Operators
Companies that provide ground services and support
Provide aircraft repair and maintenancePilot trainingAircraft sales and rentalsDe-icing servicesCabin cleaning services
Fixed-base Service
Airport Ancillary Service
Any other airport-related servicesAirline caterers, stores, restaurantsPrivate security firmsTaxisShuttles and limosAirport hotelsCar rentalsBus companies
Ancillary Services
Government Organizations
Cities or counties that own airports
FAA which monitors the air travel system for safety and manages air space (part of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation)
TSA manages airport safety
Government
Codes
Each airport and city has a three-letter code for ticketing and air traffic control
Cities with only one airport usually have the same code for the city and airport
Some codes are obvious, some are obscure
Codes
Examples of codes:ATL = Atlanta, GABOS = Boston, MACUN = Cancun, Mexico IAH = HoustonDFW = Dallas, TXSEA = Seattle, WADCA = Washington, DC-Regional
Full Coach: no discounts, almost as much $ as
business or first classunrestricted, you can make
changes to your itinerary
Airfares
Promotional FareDiscounted priceAlmost always in coach classMay have a “catch” to them
(must fly on certain days or nights, must stay overnight, must pay for tickets early, usually nonrefundable, must be round trip)
Airfares
Generally: the farther in advance you buy the less you pay
7 days or less from departure are usually “full price”
A reservations does not “lock in” the price
Price is guaranteed when you make the purchase
Airfares: when you buy…
Airfares: when you buy…
Coach almost always costs less
Many times a travel agent can find a special price that is lower
Some airlines use a consolidator which specializes in unsold ticket inventory (like outlet stores for airlines)
Add-ons and Fees
Fuel surchargeSegment taxDeparture taxAirport taxSecurity fees(all may add to the
price of your fare)
Other factors on fares…
“Fare War” Which airport you are flying to Which route you are taking What time you are flying (morning,
afternoon, night) Which airline you use How many passengers on the plane International flight What company you work for Do you have frequent flyer miles Are you with a group: senior adults,
children, military Travel professional: employees fly free
CRS or GDS
Computer Reservation System (CRS)Global Distribution System (GDS)
These systems allow you to book plane reservations as well as hotels, tours, cruises, car rentals and buy other travel products
Tickets
Rarely printed on paper or cardstock today
Mostly electronic tickets or e-tickets
Boarding passes are issued at the airport to allow boarding
Who sells tickets?
Airlines: prime supplier of ticketsTravel agencies are the prime
distributorsMay change because airlines no longer
pay commission to agencies
Miscellaneous Facts
Smoking is permitted only on a few airlines
Jet streams are bands of wind that circle the earth from west to east-thus a flight from west to east takes less time that from east to west
Jet Lag is a psychological and physiological discomfort caused by flying long distances over multiple time zones
Miscellaneous Facts
Stand-by passenger: may take another flight if there are enough no-shows for a seat to be open (some airlines do not accept stand-by customers, others charge a fee, some do not charge)
Most passengers in first or business class are flying free with mileage awards or are airline employees
Miscellaneous Facts
Most airlines and airports make special arrangements for disabled, children flying alone, pets, seeing-eye dogs, people with special meal requirements
Miscellaneous Facts
An airline must pay a passenger denied boarding compensation if the plane is delayed because of mechanical difficulties or the passenger with a confirmed reservation arrives on time but is “bumped” and the airlines cannot get them to their destination within an hour of the original scheduled time