What are Airline Codes?
Airline codes are standardized identifiers used to represent airlines worldwide. These alphanumeric combinations are essential for smooth operations in the aviation industry, from booking flights to managing air traffic.
Types of Airline Codes
There are two primary types of airline codes:
- IATA (International Air Transport Association) Code: This is a two-letter code used for commercial purposes like ticketing, reservations, and baggage handling. Examples include:
- AA: American Airlines
- BA: British Airways
- DL: Delta Air Lines
- ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Code: This is a three-letter code used for air traffic control and flight planning. Examples include:
- AAL: American Airlines
- BAW: British Airways
- DAL: Delta Air Lines
Why are Airline Codes Important?
- Efficient Communication: Codes provide a universal language for airlines, airports, and passengers.
- Streamlined Operations: They simplify processes like ticketing, baggage handling, and flight scheduling.
- Global Recognition: These codes are recognized worldwide, facilitating international travel.
How Airline Codes are Used
- Flight Bookings: When searching for flights, you’ll typically use the IATA code to identify the airline.
- Airport Displays: Flight information displays at airports use both IATA and ICAO codes.
- Aviation Industry: Airlines, airports, and air traffic control rely on these codes for efficient operations.
Alphabetical Airlines IATA Codes
- AA – American Airlines (USA): America’s Air Adventures
- AC – Air Canada (Canada): Arctic Canadian Cruises
- AF – Air France (France): Amazing French Flights
- AI – Air India (India): Amazing Incredible Indian Itineraries
- AK – Air Asia (Malaysia): Awesome, Kick-back Asian Flights
- AM – Aeroméxico (Mexico): Amazing Mexican Moments
- AR – Aerolineas Argentinas (Argentina): AeroArgentinian Rides
- AY – Finnair (Finland): Arctic Yuletide Yields
- AZ – Alitalia (Italy): Amazing Zesty Italian Journeys
- BA – British Airways (UK): Bond-like Adventures
- BG – Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Bangladesh): Bengal’s Glorious Getaways
- BI – Royal Brunei Airlines (Brunei): Beautiful Island, Incredible
- BR – EVA Air (Taiwan): Breathtaking Romantic Vacation’s Air
- CA – Air China (China): China’s Amazing Adventures
- CI – China Airlines (Taiwan): China’s Island Inspirations
- CX – Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong): Cool eXperiences in the Pacific
- CY – Cyprus Airways (Cyprus): Cyprus’ Yellow Sunshine
- CZ – China Southern Airlines (China): Charming Zenith of Southern Skies
- DJ – Virgin Blue (Australia): Dancing Jets, Blue Skies
- DL – Delta Air Lines (USA): Delta’s Dreamy Landing
- E2 – Everest Air (Nepal): Everest 2 Sky
- EI – Aer Lingus (Ireland): Enchanting Irish Escapes
- EK – Emirates Airline (UAE): Emirates, Knockout Experiences
- ET – Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopia): Exotic Trails, Timeless Ethiopia
- EY – Etihad Airways (UAE): Exciting Youthful Travels
- FB – Bulgaria Air (Bulgaria): Fantastic Balkan Bliss
- FD – Thai AirAsia (Thailand): Fantastic, Delicious Thai Adventures
- FR – Ryanair (Ireland): Fast, Ridiculously Cheap Rides
- FZ – FlyDubai (UAE): Fabulous, Zippy Dubai Flights
- G9 – Air Arabia (Sharjah, UAE): Global Getaways, Arabian Nights
- GA – Garuda Indonesia (Indonesia): Gigantic Adventures in Indonesia
- GF – Gulf Air (Bahrain): Grand Flights of the Gulf
- GH – Ghana Airways (Ghana): Glorious Hospitality, African Ways
- HR – Hahn Air (Germany): Handy Regional Hub
- HY – Uzbekistan Airways (Uzbekistan): Heavenly Yellow Skies
- IB – Iberia Airlines (Spain): Iberian Blissful
- IR – Iran Air (Iran): Iranian Routes
- JL – JAL Japan Airlines (Japan): Joyful Landings
- JM – Air Jamaica (Jamaica): Jamaican Music
- JT – Lion Air (Indonesia): Jungle Trails
- JS – Air Koryo (North Korea): Korean Serenity
- K6 – Cambodia Angkor Air (Cambodia): Khmer Kingdom’s Six Keys
- KC – Air Astana (Kazakhstan): Kazakh Caravan
- KE – Korean Air (South Korea): Korean Experience
- KL – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Netherlands): Kingdom’s Lovely Manner
- KQ – Kenya Airways (Kenya): Kenyan Quest
- KU – Kuwait Airways (Kuwait): Kuwaiti Ultimate
- LH – Lufthansa German Airlines (Germany): Lovely Homeward
- LO – LOT Polish Airlines (Poland): Lovely Old Tradition
- LX – Swiss Int’l Air Lines (Switzerland): Luxurious Swiss
- MH – Malaysia Airlines (Malaysia): Magical Holidays
- MI – SilkAir (Singapore): Modern Island
- MK – Air Mauritius (Mauritius): Mauritius’ Kingdom
- MO – Aero Mongolia (Mongolia): Mongolian Odyssey
- MS – Egyptair (Egypt): Mysterious Egypt
- MU – China Eastern Airlines (China): Modern Ultimate
- NG – Lauda Air (Austria): Noble German
- NH – All Nippon Airways (Japan): Nippon Happiness
- NW – Northwest Airlines (USA): Northern Winds
- NZ – Air New Zealand (New Zealand): Nature’s Zenith
- OA – Olympic Airlines (Greece): Olympian Adventures
- OD – Malindo Air (Malaysia & Indonesia): Oceanic Delight
- OK – Czech Airlines (Czech Republic): Okay Czech
- OS – Austrian Airlines (Austria): Outstanding Service
- OU – Croatia Airlines (Croatia): Oceanic vibes and Unforgettable views.
- OV – Salam Air (Oman): Omani Values/Voices
- PC – Pegasus Airlines (Turkey): Perfect Cheap
- PG – Bangkok Airways (Thailand): Peaceful Gateway
- PK – Pakistan Int’l Airlines (Pakistan): Pakistan’s Kindness
- PR – Philippine Airlines (Philippines): Philippine Rainbow
- Q2 – Maldivian, Maldives (Maldives): Quit 2 Quality
- QF – Qantas, Australia (Australia): Queen’s Flight
- QR – Qatar Airways (Qatar): Quality Routes
- RA – Royal Nepal Airlines (Nepal): Royal Adventure
- RG – Varig, Brazil (Brazil): Rio’s Grandeur
- RJ – Royal Jordanian (Jordan): Royal Journey
- RK – Air Afrique (Africa): Regional Knowledge
- RT – RAK Airways (UAE): Royal Tourist
- SA – S. African Airways (South Africa): Safari Adventure
- SG – Spicejet, India (India): Spicy Journey
- SL – Thai Lion Air (Thailand): Siamese Lion
- SQ – Singapore Airlines (Singapore): Stylish Quietness
- SU – Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Russia): Siberian Union
- SV – Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudi Arabia): Saudi Vacation
- T5 – Turkmenistan Airlines (Turkmenistan): Turkmen Treasure
- TG – Thai Airways International (Thailand): Thai Grandness
- TK – Turkish Airlines (Turkey): Turkish Kindness
- TP – TAP Portugal (Portugal): Tasty Portuguese
- TR – Scoot (Singapore): Speedy Route
- TU – Tunisair (Tunisia): Tunisian Unity
- UA – United Airlines (USA): United Airways
- UK – Vistara, India (India): Unique Kingdom
- UL – SriLankan Airlines (Sri Lanka): Ultimate Luxury
- UM – Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe): Unique Zimbabwe
- VN – Vietnam Airlines (Vietnam): Vietnamese Nature
- VS – Virgin Atlantic Airways (UK): Virgin Spirit
- WY – Oman Air (Oman): Wonderful Yield of Oman
- 6E – IndiGo Airlines (India): Six Seasons Easy Going
- 8M – Myanmar Airways Int’l (Myanmar): Mighty Magnificent Myanmar
