Glossary
Definition: IATA (International Air Transport Association) is the global trade association for airlines, representing approximately 300 airlines comprising 83% of total air traffic. IATA sets industry standards for ticketing, safety, and operations.
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Term at a glance
| Term | IATA |
|---|---|
| One-liner | IATA (International Air Transport Association) is the global trade association for airlines, representing approximately 300 airlines comprising 83% of total air traffic. IATA sets… |
| Where it matters | Premium-cabin booking decisions, fare-rules interpretation, airline-product comparison. |
| Related concepts | Consolidator Host Network · GDS · Consolidator Fare · BSP · Fare Basis Code |
| Last verified | 2026-05-07 |
Founded in 1945, IATA serves as the industry body for the world’s airlines. It establishes standards for everything from ticket formats and airport codes to cargo handling and safety procedures. The familiar three-letter airport codes (JFK, LHR, DXB) and two-letter airline codes (EK, QR, SQ) are IATA designations.
IATA also operates the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP), which processes ticket transactions between airlines and travel agents. Only accredited agents can participate in the BSP and issue airline tickets directly, which is why specialist consolidators like BookMyBusinessClass ticket through a host consolidator network that holds the relevant accreditations.
For consumers, IATA accreditation of a travel agency serves as a trust mark. It means the agency has met strict financial and professional standards, provides consumer protections through IATA’s resolution processes, and has legitimate access to airline ticket inventory at wholesale rates.
In booking practice
At a Glance
| Term | Quick definition | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hub-and-Spoke Network | An airline route network model where most flights connect through a small number of major hub airports rather… | Read |
| In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) | In-flight entertainment (IFE) is the onboard system providing movies, TV shows, music, games, and other media… | Read |
| Hub Airport | A hub airport is a central airport used by an airline as a transfer point to funnel passengers from many… | Read |
| Interline | An interline agreement is an arrangement between two or more airlines to handle passengers travelling on… | Read |
| Herringbone Configuration | A herringbone configuration is a business class seat layout where seats are angled towards the cabin walls in… | Read |
| Jet Lag | Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder caused by rapid travel across multiple time zones, resulting in… | Read |
Related Terms
An airline route network model where most flights connect through a small number of major hub airports rather than flying point-to-point between every city pair. Used by virtually every major international carrier — enables high-frequency connectivity, premium-cabin viability, and economic efficiency.
In-flight entertainment (IFE) is the onboard system providing movies, TV shows, music, games, and other media to passengers, typically via personal seatback screens in premium cabins with noise-cancelling headphones.
A hub airport is a central airport used by an airline as a transfer point to funnel passengers from many origins to many destinations, creating efficient connecting itineraries through a single point.
An interline agreement is an arrangement between two or more airlines to handle passengers travelling on itineraries that involve flights on multiple carriers, including through-checked baggage and coordinated rebooking during disruptions.
A herringbone configuration is a business class seat layout where seats are angled towards the cabin walls in a zigzag pattern, typically providing direct aisle access for every passenger in a 1-2-1 arrangement.
Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder caused by rapid travel across multiple time zones, resulting in fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and digestive issues as your body’s circadian rhythm adjusts to the new time zone.
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