Airline Passenger Capacity (AS, ASK)

The total number of seats on one aircraft will determine the maximum number of passengers an airline can transport on each flight. There are two main metrics to measure airline passenger capacity: Available Seats (AS) and Available Seats Kilometer (ASK). The latter metric in the imperial system is referred to as Available Seat Miles (ASM).

Available Seats (AS)

This measures the number of seats available on one flight or flight system. Different aircraft types have different numbers of seats available and even the same aircraft type can have a different numbers of seats, depending on the airline’s configuration of the aircraft. For example, the low cost carrier easyjet has configuıred its A320 fleet with 180 seats, compared to the full service carrier Air France that flies the same A320 fleet with 165 seats.

This measures the number of seats available on one flight or flight system. and  are often representeded in a seat map as shown in Fig.1.  

Fig. 1 – Aircraft Interior showing passengers (RP) travelling

Seat Maps help passengers choosing seats available during check-in .  Airlines also use those maps to display additional check-in fees for certain seats, placed in a better location of the aircraft or having extra legroom.

Different aircraft types have different numbers of seats available and even the same aircraft type can have a different numbers of seats, depending on the airline’s configuration of the aircraft. For example, the low cost carrier easyjet has configuıred its A320 fleet with 180 seats, compared to the full service carrier Air France that flies the same A320 fleet with 165 seats.

Available Seats Kilometer (ASK)

This metric is calculated by multiplying Available Seats (AS) in one flight, defined above, multiplied by the distance flown. One ASK refers to one aircraft seat flown one kilometer, therefore, one aircraft with 100 seats, flying between London and Berlin where the distance is of 1140 Km, generates 114,000 ASK. 

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