Ruth Haines
Airport codes are three-letter abbreviations used by airports across the United States and worldwide. Defined by the International Air Transport Association, these codes are used universally by pilots, controllers, travel agents, frequent flyers, computers, and baggage handlers. For example, the airport code for Los Angeles International Airport is LAX. This topic will explore the airport codes used in the United States, providing a comprehensive list of three-letter codes for airports across various states, from Aberdeen, SD (ABR) to Yakima, WA (YKM).
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What You'll Learn
US airport codes are three-letter codes
The three-letter code system was implemented to replace the two-letter code system initially used by pilots in the United States, which was derived from the National Weather Service (NWS) for identifying cities. The two-letter system had its limitations, as it only allowed for a few hundred combinations. The three-letter system, on the other hand, allows for 17,576 permutations, assuming all letters can be used in conjunction with each other.
The three-letter codes are used as location identifiers and are much easier to use and remember than the full names of airports. For example, it is easier to say and write LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) than the full name of the airport. These codes are also used on baggage tags and for reservations.
Some airports, particularly those serving cities with multiple airports, may have codes derived from the name of the airport itself. For example, JFK for New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Additionally, due to the scarcity of codes, some airports are assigned codes with letters not found in their names. For instance, BHX is the code for Birmingham Airport in the United Kingdom, as BHM was already allocated to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport in the United States.
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They are defined by the International Air Transport Association
Airport codes are three-letter geo codes designated to airports and metropolitan areas around the world. They are defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and are also known as IATA location identifiers or location identifiers. The three-letter code is used to easily identify airports and is seen on baggage tags. The assignment of these codes is governed by IATA Resolution 763 and administered by the IATA headquarters in Montreal, Canada. The codes are published twice a year in the IATA Airline Coding Directory.
Some airports in the United States retained their National Weather Service (NWS) codes and simply added an X at the end. For example, PHX for Phoenix. Some minor airfields without scheduled passenger traffic have ICAO codes but not IATA codes, as the latter is primarily used for passenger services such as ticketing. In the US, these airfields use FAA codes.
Some airports are named for the city or administrative division they are located in, for instance, YUL for Montreal–Trudeau, YYZ for Toronto, YYC for Calgary International Airport, and YVR for Vancouver International Airport. However, some airport codes are derived from their former names, like ABE for Lehigh Valley International Airport, formerly known as the Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton International Airport.
There are also instances where airports are identified by their IATA code in colloquial speech, such as YYZ in the song by the rock band Rush. Some airports have even begun using their IATA codes as brand names.
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They are used worldwide
Airport codes are used worldwide to easily identify airports. These codes are defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and are used by airlines and airports globally. The codes are typically three letters long, such as LAX for Los Angeles International Airport, and are unique to each airport. They are used in various contexts, including reservations, baggage tags, and flight planning.
The use of airport codes provides several benefits. Firstly, they simplify communication and record-keeping for pilots, controllers, travel agents, frequent flyers, and baggage handlers. It is much easier to say and write "LAX" than "Los Angeles International Airport." Secondly, airport codes help standardize airport identification across different languages and regions, ensuring consistent and accurate referencing regardless of local language or dialect.
The three-letter airport codes are part of a broader system of codes used in aviation. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines a four-character alphanumeric code, known as the ICAO airport code, which is used to designate airports worldwide. These ICAO codes are employed by air traffic control for flight planning and airline operations. They differ from the IATA codes in their format and purpose, catering to the specific needs of air traffic management.
While the three-letter codes are widely recognized and used for commercial and passenger convenience, the four-character ICAO codes are essential for air traffic control and aviation operations. Together, these coding systems contribute to efficient and safe air travel, ensuring that airports can be quickly and unambiguously identified by all parties involved in the complex world of aviation.
In addition to the three-letter and four-character codes, there are also other types of airport codes used for specific purposes. For example, some countries or regions may have their own unique coding systems to manage domestic air traffic or facilitate internal operations. These supplementary codes may not be as universally recognized as the IATA or ICAO codes but serve important functions within their respective contexts.
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They are used on baggage tags
Airport codes are used on baggage tags to make it easier for baggage handlers, pilots, controllers, travel agents, and frequent flyers to identify the correct airport. The three-letter code is more convenient to use than the full name of the airport, especially when written on a baggage tag. For example, it is easier to write LAX than Los Angeles International Airport.
The three-letter airport codes are unique and defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These codes are used universally in the United States and worldwide.
The IATA also uses a 10-digit "license plate" code for baggage tags. This code is made up of a leading digit, a three-digit airline code, and a six-digit bag number. For example, a baggage tag number should be formatted as 7512123456, where "7" is the leading digit, "512" is the airline code, and "123456" is the bag number.
It is important to note that some airport codes are restricted due to their use by TV and radio stations, or reserved for Navy bases. For example, the letter "N" was reserved for Navy bases, so Newark and Norfolk airports received the codes EWR and ORF, respectively. Kansas City International Airport, originally named Mid-Continent International Airport, kept its original code of MCI even after its name change.
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They are easier than using full location names
Airport codes are much easier to use than full location names. They are shorter and more convenient, for example, it is easier to say and write LAX than Los Angeles International Airport. This is especially useful for pilots, controllers, travel agents, frequent flyers, computers, and baggage handlers. The three-letter code system allows for a large number of permutations, accommodating the vast number of airports worldwide.
The use of airport codes also helps overcome language barriers and difficulties with complex airport names. For instance, the IATA code for Birmingham, Alabama, is BHM, while Birmingham, UK, is BHX. This distinction is crucial for travellers booking flights to the correct destination. Similarly, cities with duplicate names, such as Paris, Texas, and Paris, France, can be differentiated by their airport codes.
Airport codes also provide stability and consistency when airports or cities change their names. For example, Chicago's O'Hare Airport (ORD) is named after Orchard Field, the airport's former name. Using the code ORD maintains consistency and avoids confusion during the transition to a new name.
Furthermore, airport codes are essential for navigation, GPS systems, and weather reports. They help reduce errors and misunderstandings in critical data for flight operations. The ICAO airport codes, for instance, are four-letter codes used by pilots, air traffic control, and aviation authorities to ensure accurate and efficient flight planning and navigation.
Overall, airport codes offer numerous advantages over full location names, including brevity, convenience, language independence, differentiation between duplicate city names, and stability during name changes.
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Frequently asked questions
Airport codes are three-letter codes used to identify airports and, in some cases, metropolitan areas. They are defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and are used worldwide.
Airport codes are used to make communication easier for pilots, controllers, travel agents, frequent flyers, computers and baggage handlers. They are also used for reservations and to identify baggage.
The assignment of airport codes is governed by IATA Resolution 763 and is administered by the IATA's headquarters in Montreal, Canada. The codes are published semi-annually in the IATA Airline Coding Directory.
Here are some examples of airport codes in the US:
- Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
- New York, NY (JFK)
- Dallas, TX (DFW)
- Miami, FL (MIA)
- Chicago, IL (ORD)
