Airport and Airline Terms
PNR, no-show, overbooking, minimum connecting time, codeshare, turnaround, apron and other terms used every day by airline and airport staff.
Aviation Knowledge
Before you start
- Questions
- 15
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Format
- Single section
- The timer starts when you press Start. When it reaches zero, your answers are submitted automatically.
- Use the numbered navigator to move between questions, and flag any you want to come back to.
- For typed answers, keep within the word limit. Answers over the limit are marked wrong, as in the real test.
- You can submit early. Your score, the correct answers and explanations appear straight away.
Airport and Airline Terms: all 15 questions with answers
Prefer to work through the test on paper? Answer the questions, then open “Show answer” to check.
Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.
Q1.What is a PNR?
- A.Passenger Number Register at the gate
- B.A type of boarding pass
- C.The pilot's navigation route
- D.Passenger Name Record, the booking record for a trip
Show answer
Answer: D. Passenger Name Record, the booking record for a trip
The PNR holds the booking: names, flights, contact details and ticket information. Its reference is often called the booking reference.
Q2.In airline language, a "no-show" is:
- A.A passenger who does not turn up for a booked flight
- B.A flight that is cancelled
- C.A seat that cannot be sold
- D.A crew member who is late
Show answer
Answer: A. A passenger who does not turn up for a booked flight
No-shows are one reason airlines overbook flights.
Q3.Why do airlines sometimes overbook flights?
- A.Because aircraft have hidden seats
- B.Because some booked passengers do not turn up
- C.To fill the cargo hold
- D.Because crew need extra seats
Show answer
Answer: B. Because some booked passengers do not turn up
Airlines expect a number of no-shows and sell slightly more seats. When everyone turns up, staff look for volunteers to take a later flight.
Q4.Minimum connecting time is:
- A.The time a flight spends at the gate
- B.The time allowed for check-in
- C.The shortest time needed to change flights at an airport
- D.The length of the boarding process
Show answer
Answer: C. The shortest time needed to change flights at an airport
Airports and airlines set minimum connecting times, so bookings leave enough time to move between flights.
Q5.A standby passenger is someone who:
- A.Has priority boarding
- B.Is travelling in business class
- C.Has missed their flight
- D.Is waiting to see if a seat becomes available
Show answer
Answer: D. Is waiting to see if a seat becomes available
Standby passengers get a seat only if one is free when the flight closes.
Q6.What usually happens when the gate closes?
- A.Passengers who have not arrived may not be allowed to board
- B.Boarding starts
- C.Bags are checked in
- D.The aircraft is refuelled
Show answer
Answer: A. Passengers who have not arrived may not be allowed to board
After gate closure, staff finish the passenger count and paperwork so the aircraft can leave on time.
Q7.A transfer passenger is someone who:
- A.Is leaving the airport
- B.Is changing to another flight to continue their journey
- C.Works for the airline
- D.Is waiting for a delayed flight to return
Show answer
Answer: B. Is changing to another flight to continue their journey
Transfer (or transit) passengers continue on a connecting flight, often without leaving the airport.
Q8.Excess baggage is:
- A.Baggage left behind at the airport
- B.Baggage that is lost
- C.Baggage over the free allowance, usually charged
- D.Hand luggage only
Show answer
Answer: C. Baggage over the free allowance, usually charged
Each ticket includes an allowance. Extra pieces or weight above it are excess baggage.
Q9.What does it mean when a bag is checked through to the final destination?
- A.It is checked twice by security
- B.It travels on a later flight
- C.It must be collected at every stop
- D.It is transferred between connecting flights without the passenger collecting it
Show answer
Answer: D. It is transferred between connecting flights without the passenger collecting it
Through-checked bags are tagged to the final airport and moved between flights by the airlines.
Q10.The covered walkway between the terminal and the aircraft door is called:
- A.The apron
- B.The taxiway
- C.The concourse
- D.A jet bridge or aerobridge
Show answer
Answer: D. A jet bridge or aerobridge
Jet bridges let passengers board without going outside onto the apron.
Q11.The apron (also called the ramp) is:
- A.The area where aircraft park, load, unload and refuel
- B.The runway used for take-off
- C.The check-in hall
- D.The baggage reclaim area
Show answer
Answer: A. The area where aircraft park, load, unload and refuel
Ground handling staff work on the apron during an aircraft's time at the stand.
Q12.An aircraft turnaround is:
- A.A flight that returns to its departure airport
- B.The time on the ground between arrival and the next departure
- C.A U-turn on the runway
- D.A crew rest period
Show answer
Answer: B. The time on the ground between arrival and the next departure
During the turnaround, passengers get off, the cabin is cleaned, catering and fuel are loaded, and new passengers board. Many teams must work to time.
Q13.A codeshare flight is:
- A.A flight with two pilots
- B.A flight that shares a gate
- C.One flight sold by more than one airline under different flight numbers
- D.A charter flight
Show answer
Answer: C. One flight sold by more than one airline under different flight numbers
In a codeshare, one airline operates the flight, and partner airlines sell seats on it with their own flight numbers.
Q14.Duty-free shops sell goods:
- A.At no cost to crew
- B.Only to business class passengers
- C.That airlines provide free
- D.Without some local taxes, to international travellers
Show answer
Answer: D. Without some local taxes, to international travellers
Duty-free shops are in international areas of airports, where some taxes and duties do not apply.
Q15.An unaccompanied minor is:
- A.A child travelling without a parent or guardian, under the airline's care service
- B.Any passenger under 18
- C.A child sitting apart from their family
- D.A young airline employee
Show answer
Answer: A. A child travelling without a parent or guardian, under the airline's care service
Airlines have special procedures and age rules for children who travel alone, including handover to a named adult at arrival.