How do slots work?

• A. Blocks of time issued by the FAA used by scheduled air carriers
• B. Randomly assigned to flights
• C. Based on airline loyalty
• D. Determined by passenger demand

Answer: (A)

Slots are blocks of time, issued by the FAA, that give a scheduled air carrier the right to take off or land at a congested airport within a specific time window. This system helps match limited runway capacity with demand, keeping traffic flowing smoothly and safely. The allocation is regulatory and typically based on established rules, which may consider past usage and capacity, along with the need to prevent overcrowding. Because of these rules, slots aren’t assigned randomly to flights, aren’t determined by airline loyalty, and aren’t driven by passenger demand. If a carrier holds a slot, they must use it within the designated window or risk losing it or having it reallocated, and slots can sometimes be traded or adjusted under the program’s rules.