Airplane on tarmac at airport

Airport jargon can sound like a different language. Between the flight attendant’s instructions and the pilot’s announcements, most travelers probably won’t know every term in the aviation handbook. If you’re wondering about a cross-check before takeoff, or where the airport’s apron is, read up on some popular air travel terms to understand their meanings and ensure that your next trip to the airport is a breeze.

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Tarmac

The tarmac is the paved area where planes take off, land, and taxi. The word “tarmac” is a shortened version of “tarmacadam,” which refers to a type of pavement made out of crushed stone, covered in tar. Any area at an airport that is surfaced with this material can be called the tarmac. The material was named after Scottish engineer John Loudon McAdam, who invented “macadam” (the earliest form of this pavement) in the 18th century.

Cross-Check

When the pilot asks the crew to “cross-check” before takeoff or deplaning, they’re asking their flight attendants to verify that the cabin doors are armed or disarmed. Attendants first check their own doors and then cross-check their colleagues’ doors. For takeoff, the doors are armed, meaning that slides will automatically deploy if a door is opened. After landing, flight attendants must cross-check again to disarm the doors when approaching the gate, allowing passengers to deplane normally.

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Purser

The purser is the chief flight attendant in the cabin. They are responsible for overseeing the duties of other flight attendants, filling out paperwork, and making sure that everyone is safe during their travels. The term comes from old seafaring days when the person in charge of a ship’s money or provisions (the purse) was called the “purser.”

Cockpit

The cockpit is the section of the aircraft used by the pilot and co-pilot. It holds the controls and instrument panel used to fly the plane, and on commercial airlines, it’s closed off to the rest of the cabin while in flight. This unusual word comes from the 16th century, when it was used to describe an enclosed space for bird fighting (gamecocks), back when the sport was popular. In the early 1700s, it gained nautical usage, describing a midshipman’s below-deck compartment. Like other maritime terminology, it made its way into aviation handbooks in the early 20th century, shortly after the invention of the airplane.

Deadhead

Yes, this can refer to a fan at a Grateful Dead concert, but in the airline industry, “deadhead” is the term used for a uniformed crew member who is flying, but not working. Deadheading happens often, as flight attendants are transported to their next assignment or back to their home airport after a shift. But it can sometimes cause confusion in the cabin, especially if a passenger asks the crew member to perform what would be a standard duty if they were working. So, if you see an airline employee in a window seat taking a snooze or watching a movie, they’re likely enjoying the flight as a passenger.

Apron

At an airport, the area that surrounds the gate where planes are parked and serviced is variously referred to as the apron, ramp, or tarmac. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the official term for the specific area surrounding the gate is “apron.” “Ramp” is essentially interchangeable with “apron,” but the former is an informal term used in the U.S. and Canada. The apron is also sometimes referred to informally as the “tarmac,” but that technically describes the entire area paved with tarmacadam.

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Red-Eye

In aviation, a red-eye flight is one scheduled to depart at night and arrive the next morning. Its nickname comes from the sleep deprivation involved in overnight travel, causing passengers to have red eyes from fatigue. The term was popularized in the 1960s, shortly after the boom of the airline industry, when overnight flights became available. A pink-eye flight will take off late at night and arrive before sunrise (and it doesn’t require antibiotics).

Featured image credit: Credit: Adisa/ Shutterstock
Jennifer A. Freeman
Senior Editor, Word Smarts
Jennifer A. Freeman is the Senior Editor of Word Smarts and Word Daily. When she's not searching for a perfect synonym or reaching "Genius" level on Spelling Bee, she's playing with her Welsh Terrier in Greenville, SC.
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