Airport services glossary
as of 8 May 2026
Plain-English glossary of airport-services terms — fast track, lounge access, meet & greet, TSA PreCheck, IATA codes, and more.
- Airport Lounge Access
- Paid or membership-based entry to a private airside lounge with seating, food and Wi-Fi.
- Fast Track Immigration
- A paid expedited lane through passport control / border check on arrival or departure.
- Fast Track Security
- A dedicated airport security lane that lets travellers bypass the standard queue for a fee.
- Global Entry
- A US Customs and Border Protection programme for expedited US arrival immigration; includes TSA PreCheck.
- IATA Code
- A three-letter International Air Transport Association code identifying an airport (e.g. LHR for London Heathrow).
- ICAO Code
- A four-letter International Civil Aviation Organization code identifying an airport for air-traffic-control purposes.
- Meet and Greet
- A personal airport assistant who escorts you from kerb to gate (or gate to kerb).
- Minimum Connection Time (MCT)
- The shortest officially permitted gap between two connecting flights at an airport.
- Priority Pass
- A subscription membership granting access to a network of 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide.
- Transfer Fast Track
- An expedited lane for connecting passengers moving between flights.
- TSA PreCheck
- A US Trusted Traveler programme offering an expedited TSA security lane at participating airports.
- Turnaround Time
- How long an aircraft is on the ground between landing and the next departure.