What is the meaning of "Deadhead (DH)" in airline terminology?

In airline terminology, "Deadhead (DH)" refers specifically to the transportation of airline employees who are traveling at the direction of their company, either to or from a duty assignment. This is a common practice in the industry, as flight attendants, pilots, and other crew members may need to be repositioned to be available for their scheduled flights.

For instance, if a flight attendant's base is in a different city from their current location, the airline may assign them to take a specific flight to get to their base. This ensures that the crew is in the right place at the right time to operate flights efficiently.

Other options present scenarios that do not accurately capture the definition of "Deadhead." For example, airline employees traveling for personal reasons does not fit since that travel is not directed by the airline for duty purposes. Similarly, emergency transport related to aircraft malfunction or passengers without luggage during a flight are unrelated concepts within airline operations and do not reflect the specific meaning of "Deadhead."