Travel Glossary
18 flight and hotel terms explained in plain language. No jargon, no fluff.
- IATA Code
- A three-letter code assigned by the International Air Transport Association to identify airports worldwide. For example, DEL is Delhi, BOM is Mumbai, and DXB is Dubai.
- LCC
- Low-Cost Carrier. An airline that offers lower fares by charging for extras like baggage, meals, and seat selection. IndiGo, SpiceJet, and AirAsia India are Indian LCCs.
- Booking Window
- The number of days between when you book a flight and when you actually fly. A 6-week booking window means you booked 42 days before departure.
- One-Way Fare
- The price for a single flight in one direction, not including a return leg. Most prices on Deal Spotters India are shown as one-way fares in INR.
- Return Fare
- The total price for both outbound and return flights on a route. Sometimes called round-trip. Usually cheaper than two separate one-way bookings on international routes.
- Red-Eye Flight
- A flight that departs late at night and arrives early in the morning. Common on domestic routes like Delhi to Mumbai. Often cheaper than daytime flights.
- Codeshare
- When two airlines sell seats on the same physical flight under different flight numbers. You might book Air India but fly on a Vistara-operated aircraft, or vice versa.
- Shoulder Season
- The period between a destination peak season and off-season. Shoulder season offers a balance of decent weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices. For Europe from India, October and February are shoulder months.
- Layover
- The time spent waiting at an intermediate airport between connecting flights. A short layover is 1-3 hours; a long layover exceeds 6 hours and may require a transit visa.
- Direct Flight
- A flight that goes from origin to destination without requiring passengers to change aircraft. It may still make a brief stop for refuelling, unlike a non-stop flight.
- Non-Stop Flight
- A flight that travels directly from origin to destination with no stops at all. Delhi to Dubai non-stop takes about 3.5 hours.
- OTA
- Online Travel Agency. A website or app that sells flights, hotels, and packages from multiple providers. MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, and EaseMyTrip are Indian OTAs.
- Fare Class
- A letter code that determines the ticket price, refund rules, and upgrade eligibility. Economy tickets can range from discount (V, Q) to full-fare (Y). Lower fare classes are cheaper but less flexible.
- PNR
- Passenger Name Record. A six-character alphanumeric code that identifies your booking in the airline system. You need your PNR to check in online or manage your reservation.
- Baggage Allowance
- The amount of luggage included with your ticket. Full-service airlines typically include 15-25 kg checked baggage. LCCs charge separately, with add-on bags costing ₹500-2,000 per leg.
- INR
- Indian Rupee. The official currency of India, used for all prices on Deal Spotters India. Currency code: INR. Symbol: ₹.
- Peak Season
- The busiest and most expensive travel period for a destination. For domestic India, Diwali (October-November) and Christmas-New Year are peak. For Europe, June-August is peak.
- Flexi Fare
- A ticket type offered by some airlines (like Air India) that includes free date changes, extra baggage, and priority boarding at a higher base price. Worth considering if your plans might change.