Which type of passengers is counted as passengers on board?

Counting passengers on board includes all individuals occupying seats on the aircraft, which encompasses those traveling for free or at a reduced fare based on their role. Deadheading crew members, who are airline staff traveling to or from a destination to operate a subsequent flight, are counted as passengers because they occupy a seat and contribute to passenger loading, despite not being paying customers.

It is important to note that this counting process typically focuses on anyone who takes up a seat, irrespective of whether they have purchased a ticket, which includes deadheading crew. Thus, recognizing the presence of deadheading crew members in this context is essential for accurate flight manifest management and safety regulations.

The other groups mentioned, such as ticketed passengers, passengers in premium class, or those in child restraint seats, also represent passengers in different ways but do not encompass the broader definition that includes crew members traveling for operational needs.