A skycap is a porter who works at an airport, assisting passengers with luggage, wheelchairs, and other special needs. Skycap jobs are generally entry-level, with a low rate of pay and minimal possibility for advancement, and some airlines have done away with skycaps altogether, in the interest of cutting down on costs. Typically, visitors to an airport can identify skycaps by their uniforms, which are often brightly colored or otherwise distinctive so that they stand out.

The skycap is the descendant of the redcap, a railway porter. Redcaps were named for their distinctive red hats, which helped them stand out from a crowd so that railway passengers could easily identify them. When commercial airlines became viable, many airlines provided skycap service because people were accustomed to getting assistance from railway porters, and the term “skycap” was coined to describe porters who worked in airports.

Most skycaps hang out near the curb, so that they can meet passengers as they arrive with especially heavy luggage. Most skycaps have access to luggage carts for moving luggage around, and they may also assist with wheelchairs, strollers, and cumbersome items. In regions where it is allowed, a skycap may also perform curbside check-ins for flights, allowing passengers to skip the lines at the airline's counter, and they also answer questions from passengers and family members.

By tradition, skycaps are tipped for their services. Although tipping is not required, because technically skycaps are a service provided by the airline, their rate of pay is usually so low that they are forced to rely heavily on tips. Generally tips are offered per piece of luggage; in the United States, tips of $1-2 US per bag are common, with higher tips being offered for extra services or on the holidays.

In some regions, airlines have explicitly tried to forbid tipping for skycaps, arguing that the cost of luggage handling is included in the ticket price, and pointing out that many travelers do not have local currency, or may not have cash readily accessible, as they are not expecting to spend money at the airport. Skycaps have spoken out strongly against attempts to ban tipping, arguing that tips are an important part of their wages, and pointing out that if people wish to give tips, they should feel free to do so.