What does the term "Boarding" refer to in aviation?

The term "boarding" in aviation specifically refers to the process of customers entering the aircraft. This moment marks the transition of passengers from the terminal or boarding area into the aircraft, where they will take their assigned seats for the flight. During boarding, flight attendants play a crucial role in ensuring that the process is smooth and efficient, providing assistance to passengers as needed, checking boarding passes, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols.

The other options relate to different aspects of aviation operations, such as preparing the aircraft for takeoff, which involves checking systems, fueling, and ensuring that all necessary preparations are made for a safe departure. Security screening is a crucial process that takes place before boarding, aimed at ensuring passenger safety by checking for prohibited items. Finally, the inspection of the aircraft involves verifying its mechanical and safety readiness prior to departure, which is a separate procedure from the boarding of passengers. Understanding these distinctions helps in grasping the full scope of airline operations and the significant role of flight attendants during the boarding phase.