American Airlines and AAdvantage Glossary

American Airlines | AAdvantage Forum Terms:

A
A = Inventory class for award or SWU upgrade to First Class
AA = American Airlines or AAdvantage (contextual)
AATMS = Advanced Air Traffic Management System
AC = Admirals Club lounges (also Aircraft; or a/c)
ACARS = Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System
ACAS = Airborne Collision Avoidance System
ACMI = Aircraft lease with Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance
AD = Airworthiness Directive, an FAA rule regarding specific aircraft safety issues
ADC = Air Data Computer
ADS = Automatic Dependant Surveillance, advanced GPS based navigation system
ADT = Adult Passenger
AFS = American Flagship Service
aft = rear of aircraft
AFTN = Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network
AG = AAdvantage Gold (also GLD)
AHRS = Attitude and Heading Reference Systems
AONE = oneworld explorer ticket in First
Arpey = Gerard J. Arpey, retired Chairman and CEO, AMR Corp. and American Airlines
ARINC - Aeronautical Radio, Inc.
ASM = Available Seat Mile
ASR = Advance Seat Reservation / Airport Surveillance Radar
ATC = Air Traffic Control
ATI = Anti-Trust Immunity
ATO = Airport Ticket Office
ATPCO = Airline Tariff Publishing Company)
AVML = Asian Vegetarian (Non-Dairy) Meal (only available to/from Delhi, India)
AVOD = Audio / Video On Demand (form of Inflight Entertainment)

B
BC = Business Class
BIS = "Butt In Seat" miles (gained by actual flying)
bistro bag = coach bag lunches retrieved from carts upon boarding (obsolete)
BOB = Buy on Board; see FFS
BOGO / BOGOF = Buy One Get One Free
booking / fare class = inventory class into which a reservation is booked
BP = Boarding Pass
BT = Bulk Ticket
bulkhead = "wall" separating fuselage sections

C
C = Inventory class for award or SWU upgrade to Business Class (or Business Class cabin on some airlines; see also J)
C01 – C17 = Child passenger and age code
CAS = Crew Alerting System (in aircraft cockpit)
CASM = Cost per Available Seat Mile
CB = Cumulonimbus clouds
cheatline = the colored line often extending down the fuselage or an aircraft
Circle Pacific = a discounted oneworld product allowing that routing
city pairs = airports considered the same for fare construction purposes
CIR = Circle Pacific, class precedes, MPM follows, e.g. DCIR22
co-terminals = airports considered the same for standby and similar procedures
ConciergeKey / CK = Invitation-only premium service for the most valued AA customers
CONUS = Continental United States (contiguous 48 states)
COS = Class Of Service (referring to cabin service class)
CPM = Cost Per Mile
CSA = Customer Service Agent
CSR = Customer Service Representative
CX = cancellation or canceled (also Cathay Pacific Airways)

D
direct flight = flies with one or more stops, possibly even change of aircraft (see also non-stop flight)
DBML = Diabetic Meal (not available on all flights)
DONE = oneworld explorer ticket in Business
DSR = PALL List code for passenger desiring to purchase next higher class of service

E
ECAM = Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor, same as EICAS, preferred Airbus version
EFIS = Electronic Flight Instrument System
EICAS = Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (heart of the "glass cockpit") same as ECAM
Emerald = oneworld equivalent of AAdvantage Executive Platinum
EP = AAdvantage Executive Platinum (also EXP)
EQM = Elite Qualifying Mile (mileage credit used to determine elite status)
EQP = Elite Qualifying Point (alternative point credit used to determine elite status)
EQS = Elite Qualifying Segment (alternative flight segment credit used to determine elite status)
ETA = Estimated Time of Arrival
ETD = Estimated Time of Departure
ETOPS = Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards
EXP = AAdvantage Executive Platinum (mainly used on FlyerTalk; also EP)
EXP line = dedicated help desk for Executive Platinum flyers
eUPG = Electronic Upgrade
eVIP = electronic VIP upgrade "certificate", now Systemwide Upgrade (also SWU)

F
F = First Class cabin (also Inventory class for full fare First Class ticket)
FA = Flight Attendant
FAM = Federal Air Marshall
FC = First Class
FCC = usually, Flight Connections Centre at London Heathrow Airport
FEBO = Front Even, Back Odd (sequence in which meal orders are taken on most AA flights)
FFS = Food for Sale program in American Airlines domestic Coach
FL = Flagship Lounge (or Flagship, contextual)
FO = First Officer (“copilot”; see also PF and PNF)
FOP = Form Of Payment
forward = front of aircraft
FQTR = Frequent Traveler Redemption (on BA)
FQTV = Frequent Traveler (on BA)
FT = FlyerTalk

G
GA = Gate Agent
gate lice = passengers with low boarding priority who crowd the gate area before being called
GDS = Global Distribution System
Gerard Aprey = Gerard J. Aprey, retired Chairman and CEO, AMR Corp. and American Airlines
GFML = Gluten-Free Meal (not available on all flights)
GLD = AAdvantage Gold (also AG)
GMT = Greenwich Mean Time, used for some airline and military operations (see UTC, Zulu Time)
Gogo = Inflight wi-fi provider available on certain aircraft
Gold line = phone number for GLD elite members placing them higher in the queue to reach an AA customer service representative (not a separate desk)
GPS = Global Positioning System (satellite based navigation system)
GV x = Passengers must travel together, x = number of pax

H
heavy = larger aircraft (767, 777, 747, A330, A340, A380), also used by ATC for the 757 due to its wake turbulence
HUD = Head-Up Display

I
IAS = Indicated Air Speed (usually in knots)
IDB = Involuntarily Denied Boarding (involuntary bump)
IFE = In Flight Entertainment (also AVOD)
IFR = Instrument Flight Rules
IFS = International Flagship Service
IFSD - In Flight Shut Down (usually relating to an engine)
IROPS/ IRROPS = Irregular Operations due to weather, mechanical, crew, etc. (AA uses OSO)
ISIC = International Student Identity Card (12 or older currently enrolled as a full-time degree-seeking student at an accredited institution)
ITA = ITAsoftware search engine for airline itineraries (also Anti-Trust Immunity)
ITIC = International Teacher Identity Card (Teaching > 18 hrs / wk at an accredited institution, min 1 yr employment.
IYTC = International Youth Travel Card (age 12 - 25)

J
J = Business class cabin (also Inventory class for full fare Business Class ticket)
JBV = Joint Business Venture
JCB = (Adult) Contract Bulk passenger
Jim Wilson = human remains traveling in the cargo hold ("Jim Wilson Air Tray" is an air casket)
JPML = Japanese Meal (only available to/from Japan)

K
kiosk = Self-Service Check-in Machine
knot / kt / kn = unit of speed, one nautical mile per hour (≈1.15 mph)
KSML = Kosher Meal (not available on all flights)
KUP = lower priced fare booking directly into next class of service (also YUP; receives BA F status credit!)

L
LEO = Law Enforcement Officer
LFBU = Load Factor Based Upgrade sold at self-service check-in kiosk
LIFO = Last In, First Out
LONE = oneworld explorer ticket in Coach
LRTC = Less Room Throughout Coach (unofficial), followed MRTC

M
MCLA = Mexico, Caribbean and Latin America
MCO = Miscellaneous Charges Order (a kind of voucher)
MEL = Minimum Equipment List (list of equipment allowed inoperative not affecting flight safety)
midcon = flight that flies mid-continent, e.g. ORD-JFK or DFW-LAX
MIL = Military Passenger
MOML = Moslem Meal (not available on all flights)
MP = MilePoint
MPM = Maximum Permitted Mileage
MR = Mileage Run (trip planned primarily to earn miles, at a cheap rate)
MRTC = More Room Throughout Coach (obsolete)
MTOW = Maximum Take Off Weight (aircraft)
MX = mechanical delay (also Mexicana Airlines)

N
NGBC = [Next Generation Business Class (AA) | Next Generation Business Class] angled lie-flat seats on certain aircraft
NGSA = Next Generation Single Aisle
non-stop flight - flies from origin to destination with no stops (see also direct flight)
NOTAM = NOTice to AirMen (voice or teletype information of interest to pilots)
NRSA / non-rev = Non-Revenue Space Available flyer, often an airline employee traveling on personal business

O
O&D = Origin and Destination
OAG = Official Airline Guide
OH, OHB = OverHead Bin
OLCI = On Line Check-In
OP = Original Poster (on FlyerTalk)
Op Up = Operational Upgrade
ORC = Original Routing Credit (on FlyerTalk)
OSO = Off-Schedule Operations (see IROPS / IRROPS)
OW = oneworld Alliance (also one-way trip)
OWE = oneworld Explorer (RTW) fare - prefixed with cabin class code, followed by # of continents - e.g. DONE4

P
PAWOB = Passenger Without Bags (whoops, you do not want to be in this crowd!)
PDB = Pre-Departure Beverage, often alcoholic
PED = Personal Entertainment Device
PF = Pilot Flying
PFD = Primary Flight Display or Personal Flotation Device (contextual)
PIC = Pilot In Command
PNF = Pilot Not Flying
PIC = Pilot In Command (see also SIC)
PIREPS = Pilot Reports
pitch = aircraft angle of rotation about horizontal left-to-right axis or motion about that axis; moves nose up or down
PL = AAdvantage Platinum (also PLT)
PLT / Plat = AAdvantage Platinum (also PL)
Platinum line = phone number for PLT elite members placing them higher in the queue to reach an AA customer service representative (not a separate desk)
PNR = Passenger Name Record, the "airline record" of your booking, usually 5 or 6 characters and airline specific
port = left side of aircraft when facing forward
PPR = "paper," an edit used to assure an op up doesn't automatically draw upgrade instruments, usually used by the GA
PQ = Price Quote
PTA = Prepaid Ticket Advice
PYOB = Print Your Own Boarding Pass

R
R = Inventory class for sticker or EXP upgrade to Business Class
RASM = Revenue per Available Seat Mile
RDM = Redeemable Mile (miles from any source; can be redeemed for awards)
RI = Revenue Involuntary; PALL List code for involuntary standby passenger due to OSO
RJ = Regional Jet (also Royal Jordanian Airlines)
RM = Revenue Management
Roger = acknowledgment used in radio communications (''e.g.'', with control tower), confirming receipt of last message
roll = aircraft angle of rotation about longitudinal axis or motion about that axis; tilts wings left or right
RON = Remain Over Night
ROW = Roswell Industrial Air Center, NM "the boneyard" where old aircraft go - formerly Walker Air Force Base
RPM = Revenue Passenger Mile
RT = Round Trip
RTW = Round The World (ticket, fare or desk arranging same)
Ruby = oneworld equivalent of AAdvantage Gold
Rule 240 = Airline's domestic reaccommodation policy (AA: US, Canada, Puerto Rico, USVI)
Rule 80 = Airline's international reaccommodation policy
RV = Revenue Voluntary; PALL List code for voluntary standby passenger

S
SAC = Special Assistance Coordinator
Sapphire = oneworld equivalent of AAdvantage Platinum
SATA = Student Air Travel Association
SDR = Special Drawing Rights (international currency code XDR)
SELCAL = Selective-Calling system (usually signal for messaging from operator to aircraft)
SIC = Second In Command (see also PIC; also Seat In Coach)
SIF = Selective Identification Feature (aircraft-based transponder signal)
SPML = Special Meal (not available on all flights)
SPCCR = Self-Policing Community Closure Rule, used by some on this forum for proposing ignoring a thread
SRC = Senior Citizen Passenger
SSSS - Selected for Secondary Security Screening (on USA BP - TSA Security will give you an extra lookover))
STC = Supplemental Type Certificate (FAA approval doc for aircraft modifications, changes or additions)
STD = Scheduled Time of Departure
STPC = Stopover Paid By Carrier
starboard = right side of aircraft when facing forward
sticker = 500 mile upgrade instrument (used to be actual stickers)
SUD = Boeing 747 Stretched Upper Deck (2nd or upper deck)
SWU = Systemwide Upgrade electronic certificate (previously eVIP)

T
TA = Ticket Agent (also Travel Agent)
TAS = True Air Speed (usually in knots)
TATL = Transatlantic (also transat)
TCAS = Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System
TCP = Traveling together
TPAC / Transpac = Transpacific (also transpac)
TTL = Ticketing Time Limit
transcon = flight crossing U.S. coast-to-coast (Atlantic & Pacific coasts)

U
UM or UMNR = Unaccompanied Minor (14 or under, optional 16 or 17)
UPG / UG = UpGrade
US = Unserviceable / out of service
UTC = Universal Coordinated Time (see GMT, Zulu Time)

V
VCR = Virtual Coupon Record
VDB = Voluntary Denied Boarding (voluntary bump)
VFR = Visual Flight Rules
VGML = Vegetarian (Non-Dairy) Meal (actually vegan; not available on all flights)
VIP / VIPOW = VIP upgrade "certificate", now Systemwide Upgrade (also SWU)

W
Wi-Fi lice = non-lounge users who hang out near lounges to use WiFi signals
Wilco = "Will Comply," occasionally used in radio communications (''e.g.'', with control tower)
WL = Wait List

X
X = Inventory class for sticker or EXP upgrade to First Class

Y
Y = Economy / coach cabin (also Inventory class for full fare Economy / Coach Class ticket)
yaw = aircraft angle of rotation about vertical axis or motion about that axis; moves nose left or right
YM = Yield Management (obsolete, now called Revenue Management or RM)
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary
YRT = One year ticket
YUP = lower priced fare booking directly into next class of service (also KUP)

Z
Zulu Time = see GMT, UTC

Common Internet Abbreviations
AFAIK = As Far As I Know
FWIW = For What It's Worth
IIRC = If I Recall Correctly
IME = In My Experience
IMO / IMHO = In My (Humble) Opinion
LOL = Laugh(ing) Out Loud
OTOH = On The Other Hand
ROFL / ROTFL = Rolling On (The) Floor Laughing

AA Aircraft Designations
The following designations are used on AA.com. For full details and other abbreviations, see Planes and Seats.

Mainline Aircraft
738 = Boeing 737-823
752 = Boeing 757-223
762 = Boeing 767-223ER
763 = Boeing 767-323ER
777 = Boeing 777-223ER/IGW (also 772)
M80, M83 = McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series (also MD80, S80, "Mad Dog")
AB6 = Airbus A300B4-605R (no longer in service)

Regional Aircraft
AT7 = ATR 72-212
CR7 = Canadair CRJ-701
ER3 = Embraer ERJ-135LR
ERD = Embraer ERJ-140LR
ER4 = Embraer ERJ-145LR
SF3 = Saab 340B (no longer in service)

oneworld Alliance Airlines
oneworld Members and Affiliates
AA/AAL = American Airlines
AY/FIN = Finnair
BA/BAW = British Airways
CX/CPA = Cathay Pacific Airways (Hong Kong, China)
IB/IBE = IBERIA (Spain)
JL/JAL = Japan Airlines
LA/LAN = LAN Airlines (Chile)
MA/MAH = Malév Hungarian
MX/MXA = Mexicana as of 9 Nov 2009 (''ceased operations 28 Aug 2010'' - may reactivate ~Jun 2011)
QF/QFA = Qantas (Australia)
RJ/RJA = Royal Jordanian
S7/SBI = S7 Airlines (Russia) as of 15 Nov 2010

N.B.: Aer Lingus (EI) has departed oneworld; Swiss International Air Lines (LX) and Turkish Airlines (TK) were never members.

Incoming oneworld Members
IT/KFR = Kingfisher Airlines (India)
AB/BER = airberlin (Germany)

AAdvantage Partner Airlines (non-oneworld)
FJ/FJI = Air Pacific
TN/THT = Air Tahiti Nui (award redemption only)
AS/ASA = Alaska Airlines
SN/BEL = Brussels Airlines (discontinued. Ticketed award valid till June 29, 2011)
LY/ELY = EL AL
G3/GLO = GOL
GF/GFA = Gulf Air
HA/HAL = Hawaiian Airlines
9W/JAI = Jet Airways
B6/JBU = JetBlue