Booking a flight also means facing acronyms that no one ever really explains. Here is what they mean, in plain language.
The PNR (Passenger Name Record)
It is the code of 5 or 6 letters/digits that identifies your booking, a bit like a case number. It gathers all the information about your trip: flight, seat, baggage, contact. It is this code you are asked for to check in or to look up your booking.
The GDS (Global Distribution System)
It is the computer system used by travel agencies and airlines to search for, book and manage plane tickets worldwide. The best known are Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport. As a traveller, you never use it directly, but it is what works behind the scenes behind every booking.
The e-ticket (electronic ticket)
Since the paper ticket disappeared, your “ticket” is actually an electronic record linked to a unique 13-digit number. It is this number that proves you have paid for a specific flight, even without a PNR.
The boarding pass
The final document issued after check-in, showing your seat, your boarding gate and the departure time. It is this document (paper or digital) that you will be asked to show at the gate.
Why it is useful to know these terms
Understanding this vocabulary helps you talk to an airline more effectively if there is a problem, spot an error on your booking, and no longer feel lost when faced with a confirmation email.