What does "Connection" mean in air travel?

In the context of air travel, "Connection" specifically refers to the process of traveling from an origin city to a destination city that involves a change of aircraft. When passengers have a connection, it usually means that they must disembark one flight and then board another flight to reach their final destination. This is a common practice in the airline industry, especially for routes that are not direct.

The significance of this term lies in the coordination required for passengers to make their way from one aircraft to another, often in different terminals or concourses, and sometimes with a layover period. Having an understanding of what a connection entails is crucial for flight attendants, as they may need to assist passengers with information regarding their next flight, gate changes, and the timing of their connection.

The other choices do not accurately capture the meaning of connection in air travel. The original departure city refers to where the journey begins, the process of merging flight paths pertains more to air traffic or operations than passenger travel, and the period before a flight's boarding begins relates to pre-flight procedures rather than connecting flights.