When
You need to tell the airline something about a passenger — and must choose between an OSI and an SSR.
What the difference is
OSI (OS) | SSR (SR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Information for the airline | Request for a service |
| Airline answer | none expected | a status per request (e.g. HK confirmed, NN requested, UN unable) |
| Examples | VIP, ticket number for an airline without automatic transmission | meal, wheelchair, passport data (DOCS), infant, bike, extra seat |
Steps
| # | Entry | What it does | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OS QF VIP COMPANY CEO/P2 | OSI to Qantas about passenger 2. | Information only. |
| 2 | SR VGML | SSR vegan meal for all segments and passengers. | A request the airline confirms. |
| 3 | SR VGMLLH · SR VGML/S10-11/P1-4 | For one airline · for chosen segments and passengers. | Only where needed. |
| 4 | SR OTHS-FREEFLOW TEXT/P2 | Free-text SSR. | When no specific code exists. |
| 5 | SRE /UMNR/6X | Shows the free-text format an SSR code needs. | Some SSRs have a fixed format. |
| 6 | RTG | Shows SSRs, OSIs and keywords. | Check statuses. |
Graphic: Remarks, other service information section → Add other service information; SSRs in the SSR & SVC section.
Check it worked
RTG: after ER and the airline's reply, each SSR shows a status. HK/KK = confirmed;
NN/HN = still requested; UN/NO = refused.
Traps
- An OSI never confirms anything — a wheelchair in an OSI is not booked.
- SSRs must be associated to the right passenger and segment; an unassociated SSR goes to all.
- Some SSRs are chargeable (bags, seats, pets) — they need an EMD before they are guaranteed (see What an EMD is — EMD-A vs EMD-S, RFIC and RFISC).