Airport abbreviations appear on flight tickets, boarding passes, luggage tags, and booking platforms – but many travelers don’t know what they actually mean. This guide explains how international airport abbreviations work, why they exist, and how to read them correctly when planning or managing a trip.
Understanding airport codes helps travelers avoid booking errors, choose the correct arrival airport, and interpret flight details across airlines, regions, and booking systems. These abbreviations are not random. They follow global standards used consistently across aviation, travel platforms, and border control systems.
What are international airport abbreviations, and why do they exist?
International airport abbreviations are standardized codes used to identify airports worldwide. They exist to create a clear, universal language for airlines, air traffic control, booking engines, and travelers.
Most travelers encounter these codes when searching flights on platforms like Google Flights or Skyscanner, where cities and airports are displayed using short letter combinations. These abbreviations reduce confusion, prevent language barriers, and ensure accuracy in global air travel operations.
Example:
LHR always refers to London Heathrow Airport, regardless of airline, country, or booking platform.
Are airport abbreviations the same as airport codes?
Airport abbreviations and airport codes usually refer to the same thing, but the term “airport code” is more precise. In practice, travelers are most often dealing with IATA airport codes, which are three-letter identifiers assigned to airports.
There are also ICAO airport codes, which are four-letter identifiers used mainly by pilots and air traffic control rather than passengers.
Understanding which system you are seeing depends on the context – tickets and luggage tags use IATA codes, while flight tracking and aviation maps often show ICAO codes.
Example:
- Passenger ticket: JFK
- Air traffic system: KJFK
Why do most airport abbreviations have three letters?
Three-letter airport abbreviations come from the IATA coding system, designed for ease of use in commercial aviation. Three letters are short enough to fit on tickets and screens while still allowing thousands of unique combinations worldwide.
Many codes are derived from the city name, airport name, or historical naming conventions. Others reflect older airport names that no longer match the modern city spelling.
Examples:
- CDG → Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris)
- FRA → Frankfurt Airport
- DXB → Dubai International Airport
Why don’t some airport codes match the city name?
Some airport abbreviations don’t seem to match the city because they are based on historical names, local languages, or legacy airport titles. In many cases, the most obvious code was already assigned to another airport.
This is common in large cities with long aviation histories or multiple airports.
Examples:
- ORD → Chicago O’Hare (named after Orchard Field)
- MUC → Munich (from the German name “München”)
- BOM → Mumbai (from the former name Bombay)
How do airport abbreviations help travelers avoid booking mistakes?
Airport abbreviations clarify exactly which airport a flight uses, especially in cities with multiple airports. Booking by city name alone can lead to confusion, longer transfers, or unexpected ground travel costs.
Recognizing airport codes allows travelers to:
- Choose the most convenient arrival or departure airport
- Avoid long inter-airport transfers
- Understand connection times more accurately
Example:
Flying into NRT (Narita) versus HND (Haneda) in Tokyo can change total travel time by hours.
Where do travelers see airport abbreviations during a trip?
Airport abbreviations appear consistently across the entire travel journey. Travelers encounter them when booking flights, checking in online, reading boarding passes, tagging luggage, and tracking flights in real time.
They are also used in:
- Airline schedules
- Baggage claim systems
- Airport signage
- Immigration and customs documentation
Learning to recognize these codes makes travel logistics faster and more predictable.
Why understanding airport abbreviations matters for international travel planning
International travel often involves connections, alternate airports, and cross-border routes. Knowing airport abbreviations helps travelers compare routes accurately, assess layover feasibility, and understand flight itineraries across regions and languages.
For long-haul flights, multi-city trips, or regional transfers, airport codes are essential planning tools – not optional details.
A traveler who understands airport abbreviations makes fewer mistakes, saves time, and navigates global air travel with confidence.
How are airport abbreviations assigned when a city has several airports?
When a city has more than one airport, each airport is assigned a unique IATA airport code to prevent confusion in booking systems, baggage handling, and flight operations. These codes are not interchangeable, even if the airports serve the same city or metropolitan area.
The assignment follows strict rules set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The goal is clarity, consistency, and global usability across airlines, reservation systems, and border controls.
Who decides airport abbreviations in multi-airport cities?
Airport abbreviations are assigned and managed by IATA, not by airlines or local governments. IATA evaluates each airport as a separate operational entity, even when airports are located in the same city or region.
In cities with multiple airports, IATA ensures that:
- Each airport has a distinct three-letter code
- Codes cannot overlap with existing active airports
- The abbreviation works across global booking and ticketing systems
Once assigned, a code rarely changes, even if the airport is renamed or expanded.
Example:
London has multiple airports, but each one is treated as a separate entry:
- LHR → Heathrow
- LGW → Gatwick
- STN → Stansted
- LTN → Luton
- LCY → London City
How does IATA choose different codes for airports in the same city?
IATA assigns codes based on availability, historical naming, and local identifiers. When the most obvious three-letter combination is already in use, alternative references are considered.
Common sources for airport abbreviations include:
- The airport’s original or former name
- Nearby towns or districts
- Local language spellings
- Legacy military or airfield names
This is why airports in the same city rarely share a common letter pattern, even though they serve the same metropolitan area.
Example:
Paris airports use different references:
- CDG → Charles de Gaulle
- ORY → Orly
Why do some cities have a city code plus individual airport codes?
Some large cities have both city-level codes and airport-specific codes. City codes represent the entire metropolitan area and are used mainly for flight searches, while airport codes identify the exact airport.
City codes are useful for flexible searches, but cannot be used for boarding passes or baggage tags.
Examples:
- NYC → New York City (JFK, LGA, EWR)
- LON → London (LHR, LGW, STN, LTN, LCY)
- TYO → Tokyo (NRT, HND)
This system allows travelers to compare prices across all airports while still booking a specific arrival or departure point.
How are new airport abbreviations created when a city builds another airport?
When a new airport opens in a city that already has one or more airports, IATA assigns a new code that has not been used elsewhere. The code is often linked to the airport’s official name, geographic location, or surrounding area.
Priority is given to:
- Avoiding duplication with existing codes
- Maintaining consistency across regions
- Ensuring the code works globally without language conflicts
Once assigned, the code becomes permanent, even if passenger traffic changes over time.
Example:
Berlin now uses:
- BER → Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Older codes like TXL and SXF were retired after closure, not reused elsewhere.
Why don’t airlines simplify airport abbreviations in the same city?
Airlines cannot simplify or merge airport abbreviations because airport codes are part of the international aviation infrastructure. Changing or combining codes would disrupt reservation systems, baggage routing, safety protocols, and regulatory processes.
Each airport operates independently, with its own runways, security systems, customs facilities, and ground services. Unique airport codes reflect these operational differences.
For travelers, this means accuracy matters. Choosing the wrong airport code can result in landing far from the intended destination or missing a connection.
Practical example: how multiple airport codes affect real bookings
Booking a flight to the wrong airport in a multi-airport city can significantly affect travel time and cost.
Example scenario:
A traveler books a flight to STN instead of LHR when visiting central London. While both serve London, Stansted is over 60 km from the city center and may require additional train or bus transfers.
Understanding airport abbreviations helps travelers:
- Select airports closer to accommodations
- Plan realistic connection times
- Compare true total travel duration, not just flight time
Are there four-character airport codes?
Yes. Four-character airport codes exist, but they are not designed for passengers. These are called ICAO airport codes, and they are used primarily for flight operations, air traffic control, and aviation planning rather than ticketing or luggage handling.
Travelers usually see three-letter airport abbreviations on bookings and boarding passes. Four-letter codes appear in technical contexts, such as flight tracking tools, pilot documentation, and aviation maps.
What is the difference between three-letter and four-letter airport codes?
Three-letter airport codes come from IATA and are built for commercial travel. Four-letter codes come from ICAO and are built for operational precision.
The key difference is purpose:
- IATA codes identify airports for passengers, airlines, and booking systems
- ICAO codes identify airports for air traffic control, pilots, and global aviation safety systems
Both refer to the same airports, but they are used in completely different systems.
Example:
- Los Angeles International Airport
- IATA: LAX
- ICAO: KLAX
Why do ICAO airport codes have four letters?
ICAO uses four letters because the system must uniquely identify every airport, airfield, and aviation facility worldwide, including military bases and private aerodromes.
The four-letter structure allows ICAO to:
- Encode geographic regions
- Avoid duplication on a global scale
- Support precise navigation and safety systems
In many regions, the first letter represents a country or group of countries, while the remaining letters identify the specific airport.
How are ICAO airport codes structured by region?
ICAO codes follow a regional pattern, which makes them useful for aviation professionals but less intuitive for travelers.
Common regional examples:
- K* → United States (e.g., KJFK, KLAX)
- E* → Northern Europe (e.g., EGLL for London Heathrow)
- L* → Southern Europe (e.g., LIRF for Rome Fiumicino)
- Z* → China (e.g., ZBAA for Beijing Capital)
This regional structure helps pilots and controllers instantly recognize an airport’s location.
Will travelers ever need to use four-letter airport codes?
Most travelers do not need ICAO codes for booking flights or checking in. However, they can appear when using flight tracking services, aviation apps, or delay reports that show aircraft routing data.
Knowing that four-letter codes exist helps travelers:
- Understand flight tracking information
- Interpret aviation-related notifications
- Avoid confusion when different codes appear for the same airport
Example:
A flight tracker may list a departure as EGLL instead of LHR. Both refer to London Heathrow, but only LHR is used for booking.
Why aren’t ICAO airport codes used on tickets and baggage tags?
ICAO codes are longer and designed for operational systems, not consumer-facing tools. Using four-letter codes on tickets would increase complexity without adding value for passengers.
IATA codes remain the standard for:
- Booking confirmations
- Boarding passes
- Baggage routing
- Airport signage
ICAO codes stay behind the scenes, supporting safety, navigation, and airspace coordination.
List of Airport Abbreviations, Codes, and Identifiers
|
Airport |
City |
State |
IATA |
|
Aberdeen Regional Airport |
Aberdeen |
South Dakota |
ABR |
|
Abilene Regional Airport |
Abilene |
Texas |
ABI |
|
Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport |
Springfield |
Illinois |
SPI |
|
Akron-Canton Regional Airport |
Akron / Canton |
Ohio |
CAK |
|
Albany International Airport |
Albany |
New York |
ALB |
|
Albert J. Ellis Airport |
Jacksonville |
North Carolina |
OAJ |
|
Albuquerque International Sunport |
Albuquerque |
New Mexico |
ABQ |
|
Alexandria International Airport |
Alexandria |
Louisiana |
AEX |
|
Alpena County Regional Airport |
Alpena |
Michigan |
APN |
|
Aniak Airport |
Aniak |
Alaska |
ANI |
|
Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport |
Agana / Tamuning |
Guam |
GUM |
|
Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport |
Vieques |
Puerto Rico |
VQS |
|
Appleton International Airport |
Appleton |
Wisconsin |
ATW |
|
Arcata Airport |
Arcata / Eureka |
California |
ACV |
|
Arnold Palmer Regional Airport |
Latrobe |
Pennsylvania |
LBE |
|
Asheville Regional Airport |
Asheville |
North Carolina |
AVL |
|
Aspen-Pitkin County Airport |
Aspen |
Colorado |
ASE |
|
Atlantic City International Airport |
Atlantic City |
New Jersey |
ACY |
|
Augusta Regional Airport |
Augusta |
Georgia |
AGS |
|
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport |
Austin |
Texas |
AUS |
|
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport |
Baltimore / Glen Burnie |
Maryland |
BWI |
|
Bangor International Airport |
Bangor |
Maine |
BGR |
|
Barkley Regional Airport |
Paducah |
Kentucky |
PAH |
|
Barnstable Municipal Airport |
Hyannis |
Massachuttces |
HYA |
|
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport |
Baton Rouge |
Louisiana |
BTR |
|
Bellingham International Airport |
Bellingham |
Washington |
BLI |
|
Bemidji Regional Airport |
Bemidji |
Minniesota |
BJI |
|
Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport |
Culebra |
Puerto Rico |
CPX |
|
Bert Mooney Airport |
Butte |
Montana |
BTM |
|
Bethel Airport |
Bethel |
Alaska |
BET |
|
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport |
Little Rock |
Arkansas |
LIT |
|
Billings Logan International Airport |
Billings |
Montana |
BIL |
|
Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport |
Birmingham |
Alabama |
BHM |
|
Bishop International Airport |
Flint |
Michigan |
FNT |
|
Bismarck Municipal Airport |
Bismarck |
North Dakota |
BIS |
|
Block Island State Airport |
Block Island / New Shoreham |
Rhode Island |
BID |
|
Blue Grass Airport |
Lexington |
Kentucky |
LEX |
|
Bob Hope Airport |
Burbank |
California |
BUR |
|
Boise Airport |
Boise |
Idaho |
BOI |
|
Boulder City Municipal Airport |
Boulder City |
Nevada |
BLD |
|
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport |
Bozeman |
Montana |
BZN |
|
Bradley International Airport |
Hartford |
Connecticut |
BDL |
|
Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport |
Brainerd |
Minniesota |
BRD |
|
Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport |
Brownsville |
Texas |
BRO |
|
Brunswick Golden Isles Airport |
Brunswick |
Georgia |
BQK |
|
Buffalo Niagara International Airport |
Buffalo |
New York |
BUF |
|
Burlington International Airport |
Burlington |
Vermont |
BTV |
|
Capital Region International Airport |
Lansing |
Michigan |
LAN |
|
Casper/Natrona County International Airport |
Casper |
Wyoming |
CPR |
|
Cedar City Regional Airport |
Cedar City |
Utah |
CDC |
|
Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal |
Bloomington / Normal |
Illinois |
BMI |
|
Central Nebraska Regional Airport |
Grand Island |
Nebraska |
GRI |
|
Central Wisconsin Airport |
Mosinee |
Wisconsin |
CWA |
|
Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport |
Santa Rosa |
California |
STS |
|
Charleston International Airport / Charleston AFB |
Charleston |
South Carolina |
CHS |
|
Charlotte/Douglas International Airport |
Charlotte |
North Carolina |
CLT |
|
Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport |
Charlottesville |
Virginia |
CHO |
|
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport |
Chattanooga |
Tennessee |
CHA |
|
Cherry Capital Airport |
Traverse City |
Michigan |
TVC |
|
Cheyenne Regional Airport |
Cheyenne |
Wyoming |
CYS |
|
Chicago Midway International Airport |
Chicago |
Illinois |
MDW |
|
Chicago O’Hare International Airport |
Chicago |
Illinois |
ORD |
|
Chicago Rockford International Airport |
Rockford |
Illinois |
RFD |
|
Chico Municipal Airport |
Chico |
California |
CIC |
|
Chippewa County International Airport |
Sault Ste. Marie |
Michigan |
CIU |
|
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport |
Eau Claire |
Wisconsin |
EAU |
|
Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport |
Cincinnati |
Ohio |
LUK |
|
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport |
Cincinnati / Covington |
Kentucky |
CVG |
|
City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport |
Colorado Springs |
Colorado |
COS |
|
Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport |
Cleveland |
Ohio |
CLE |
|
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport |
New Bern |
North Carolina |
EWN |
|
Columbia Metropolitan Airport |
Columbia |
South Carolina |
CAE |
|
Columbia Regional Airport |
Columbia |
Missouri |
COU |
|
Columbus Metropolitan Airport |
Columbus |
Georgia |
CSG |
|
Concord Regional Airport |
Concord |
North Carolina |
USA |
|
Corpus Christi International Airport |
Corpus Christi / Kingsville |
Texas |
CRP |
|
Dallas Love Field |
Dallas |
Texas |
DAL |
|
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport |
Dallas-Fort Worth |
Texas |
DFW |
|
Dane County Regional Airport |
Madison |
Wisconsin |
MSN |
|
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport |
Honolulu , Oahu |
Hawaii |
HNL |
|
Daytona Beach International Airport |
Daytona Beach |
Florida |
DAB |
|
Deadhorse Airport |
Deadhorse / Prudhoe Bay |
Alaska |
SCC |
|
Del Norte County Airport |
Crescent City |
California |
CEC |
|
Delta County Airport |
Escanaba |
Michigan |
ESC |
|
Denver International Airport |
Denver |
Colorado |
DEN |
|
Des Moines International Airport |
Des Moines |
Iowa |
DSM |
|
Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport / Eglin Air Force Base |
Valparaiso |
Florida |
VPS |
|
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport |
Detroit / Romulus |
Michigan |
DTW |
|
Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport |
Dickinson |
North Dakota |
DIK |
|
Dillingham Airport |
Dillingham |
Alaska |
DLG |
|
Dothan Regional Airport |
Dothan |
Alabama |
DHN |
|
Dubuque Regional Airport |
Dubuque |
Iowa |
DBQ |
|
Duluth International Airport |
Duluth |
Minniesota |
DLH |
|
Durango-La Plata County Airport |
Durango |
Colorado |
DRO |
|
Eagle County Regional Airport |
Eagle |
Colorado |
EGE |
|
East Texas Regional Airport |
Longview |
Texas |
GGG |
|
Easterwood Airport |
College Station |
Texas |
CLL |
|
Edward G. Pitka Sr. Airport |
Galena |
Alaska |
GAL |
|
El Paso International Airport |
El Paso |
Texas |
ELP |
|
Elko Regional Airport |
Elko |
Nevada |
EKO |
|
Elmira/Corning Regional Airport |
Elmira / Corning |
New York |
ELM |
|
Eppley Airfield |
Omaha |
Nebraska |
OMA |
|
Erie International Airport |
Erie |
Pennsylvania |
ERI |
|
Eugene Airport |
Eugene |
Oregon |
EUG |
|
Evansville Regional Airport |
Evansville |
Indiana |
EVV |
|
Fairbanks International Airport |
Fairbanks |
Alaska |
FAI |
|
Falls International Airport |
International Falls |
Minniesota |
INL |
|
Fayetteville Regional Airport |
Fayetteville |
North Carolina |
FAY |
|
Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport |
San Juan / Miramar |
Puerto Rico |
SIG |
|
Flagstaff Pulliam Airport |
Flagstaff |
Arizona |
FLG |
|
Florence Regional Airport |
Florence |
South Carolina |
FLO |
|
Ford Airport |
Iron Mountain / Kingsford |
Michigan |
IMT |
|
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport |
Fort Lauderdale |
Florida |
FLL |
|
Fort Smith Regional Airport |
Fort Smith |
Arkansas |
FSM |
|
Fort Wayne International Airport |
Fort Wayne |
Indiana |
FWA |
|
Fresno Yosemite International Airport |
Fresno |
California |
FAT |
|
Friday Harbor Airport |
Friday Harbor |
Washington |
FRD |
|
Friedman Memorial Airport |
Hailey |
Idaho |
SUN |
|
Gainesville Regional Airport |
Gainesville |
Florida |
GNV |
|
Garden City Regional Airport |
Garden City |
Kansas |
GCK |
|
Gen. Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport |
Boston |
Massachuttces |
BOS |
|
General Mitchell International Airport |
Milwaukee |
Wisconsin |
MKE |
|
General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport |
Peoria |
Illinois |
PIA |
|
George Bush Intercontinental Airport |
Houston |
Texas |
IAH |
|
Gerald R. Ford International Airport |
Grand Rapids |
Michigan |
GRR |
|
Gillette-Campbell County Airport |
Gillette |
Wyoming |
GCC |
|
Glacier Park International Airport |
Kalispell |
Montana |
FCA |
|
Golden Triangle Regional Airport |
Columbus / West Point / Starkville |
Mississippi |
GTR |
|
Grand Canyon National Park Airport |
Grand Canyon / Tusayan |
Arizona |
GCN |
|
Grand Canyon West Airport |
Peach Springs |
Arizona |
GCW |
|
Grand Forks International Airport |
Grand Forks |
North Dakota |
GFK |
|
Grand Junction Regional Airport |
Grand Junction |
Colorado |
GJT |
|
Great Falls International Airport |
Great Falls |
Montana |
GTF |
|
Greater Binghamton Airport |
Binghamton |
New York |
BGM |
|
Greater Rochester International Airport |
Rochester |
New York |
ROC |
|
Green Bay–Austin Straubel International Airport |
Green Bay |
Wisconsin |
GRB |
|
Greenbrier Valley Airport |
Lewisburg |
West Virginia |
LWB |
|
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport |
Greenville |
South Carolina |
GSP |
|
Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport |
Gulfport / Biloxi |
Mississippi |
GPT |
|
Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport |
Gunnison |
Colorado |
GUC |
|
Hagerstown Regional Airport |
Hagerstown |
Maryland |
HGR |
|
Harrisburg International Airport |
Harrisburg / Middletown |
Pennsylvania |
MDT |
|
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport |
Atlanta |
Georgia |
ATL |
|
Hector International Airport |
Fargo |
North Dakota |
FAR |
|
Helena Regional Airport |
Helena |
Montana |
HLN |
|
Hilo International Airport |
Hilo , Hawaii |
Hawaii |
ITO |
|
Hilton Head Airport |
Hilton Head Island |
South Carolina |
HHH |
|
Homer Airport |
Homer |
Alaska |
HOM |
|
Houghton County Memorial Airport |
Hancock / Calumet |
Michigan |
CMX |
|
Huntsville International Airport |
Huntsville |
Alabama |
HSV |
|
Idaho Falls Regional Airport |
Idaho Falls |
Idaho |
IDA |
|
Indianapolis International Airport |
Indianapolis |
Indiana |
IND |
|
Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport |
Ithaca |
New York |
ITH |
|
Jack Brooks Regional Airport |
Beaumont / Port Arthur |
Texas |
BPT |
|
Jackson Hole Airport |
Jackson |
Wyoming |
JAC |
|
Jackson–Evers International Airport |
Jackson |
Mississippi |
JAN |
|
Jacksonville International Airport |
Jacksonville |
Florida |
JAX |
|
James M. Cox Dayton International Airport |
Dayton |
Ohio |
DAY |
|
John F. Kennedy International Airport |
New York |
New York |
JFK |
|
John Glenn Columbus International Airport |
Columbus |
Ohio |
CMH |
|
John Wayne Airport |
Santa Ana |
California |
SNA |
|
Joplin Regional Airport |
Joplin |
Missouri |
JLN |
|
José Aponte de la Torre Airport |
Ceiba |
Puerto Rico |
NRR |
|
Juneau International Airport |
Juneau |
Alaska |
JNU |
|
Kahului Airport |
Kahului , Maui |
Hawaii |
OGG |
|
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport |
Kalamazoo / Battle Creek |
Michigan |
AZO |
|
Kansas City International Airport |
Kansas City |
Missouri |
MCI |
|
Kenai Municipal Airport |
Kenai |
Alaska |
ENA |
|
Ketchikan International Airport |
Ketchikan |
Alaska |
KTN |
|
Key West International Airport |
Key West |
Florida |
EYW |
|
Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport / Robert Gray Army Airfield |
Fort Hood / Killeen / Temple |
Texas |
GRK |
|
King County International Airport |
Seattle |
Washington |
BFI |
|
King Salmon Airport |
King Salmon |
Alaska |
AKN |
|
Knox County Regional Airport |
Rockland |
Maine |
RKD |
|
Kodiak Airport |
Kodiak |
Alaska |
ADQ |
|
Kona International Airport at Keahole |
Kailua-Kona , Hawaii |
Hawaii |
KOA |
|
La Crosse Regional Airport |
La Crosse |
Wisconsin |
LSE |
|
Lafayette Regional Airport |
Lafayette |
Louisiana |
LFT |
|
LaGuardia Airport |
New York |
New York |
LGA |
|
Lake Charles Regional Airport |
Lake Charles |
Louisiana |
LCH |
|
Lake Hood Seaplane Base |
Anchorage |
Alaska | |
|
Lanai Airport |
Lanai City , Lanai |
Hawaii |
LNY |
|
Laredo International Airport |
Laredo |
Texas |
LRD |
|
Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport |
Bullhead City |
Arizona |
IFP |
|
Lawton–Fort Sill Regional Airport |
Lawton |
Oklahoma |
LAW |
|
Lea County Regional Airport |
Hobbs |
New Mexico |
HOB |
|
Lebanon Municipal Airport |
Lebanon |
New Hampshire |
LEB |
|
Lehigh Valley International Airport |
Allentown |
Pennsylvania |
ABE |
|
Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport |
Lewiston |
Idaho |
LWS |
|
Lihue Airport |
Lihue , Kauai |
Hawaii |
LIH |
|
Lincoln Airport |
Lincoln |
Nebraska |
LNK |
|
Boston Logan International Airport | |||
|
Long Beach Airport |
Long Beach |
California |
LGB |
|
Long Island MacArthur Airport |
Islip |
New York |
ISP |
|
Los Angeles International Airport |
Los Angeles |
California |
LAX |
|
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport |
New Orleans |
Louisiana |
MSY |
|
Louisville International Airport |
Louisville |
Kentucky |
SDF |
|
Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport |
Lubbock |
Texas |
LBB |
|
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport |
San Juan / Carolina |
Puerto Rico |
SJU |
|
Lynchburg Regional Airport |
Lynchburg |
Virginia |
LYH |
|
Magic Valley Regional Airport |
Twin Falls |
Idaho |
TWF |
|
Mammoth Yosemite Airport |
Mammoth Lakes |
California |
MMH |
|
Manchester–Boston Regional Airport |
Manchester |
New Hampshire |
MHT |
|
Manhattan Regional Airport |
Manhattan |
Kansas |
MHK |
|
Martha’s Vineyard Airport |
Vineyard Haven |
Massachuttces |
MVY |
|
MBS International Airport |
Saginaw |
Michigan |
MBS |
|
McAllen Miller International Airport |
McAllen |
Texas |
MFE |
|
McCarran International Airport |
Las Vegas |
Nevada |
LAS |
|
McClellan–Palomar Airport |
Carlsbad |
California |
CRQ |
|
McGhee Tyson Airport |
Knoxville |
Tennessee |
TYS |
|
Meadows Field |
Bakersfield |
California |
BFL |
|
Melbourne International Airport |
Melbourne |
Florida |
MLB |
|
Memphis International Airport |
Memphis |
Tennessee |
MEM |
|
Mercedita International Airport |
Ponce |
Puerto Rico |
PSE |
|
Merle K. Smith Airport |
Cordova |
Alaska |
CDV |
|
Merrill Field |
Anchorage |
Alaska |
MRI |
|
Miami International Airport |
Miami |
Florida |
MIA |
|
MidAmerica St. Louis Airport / Scott Air Force Base |
Belleville |
Illinois |
BLV |
|
Midland International Airport |
Midland |
Texas |
MAF |
|
Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport |
Minneapolis |
Minniesota |
MSP |
|
Minot International Airport |
Minot |
North Dakota |
MOT |
|
Missoula International Airport |
Missoula |
Montana |
MSO |
|
Mobile Regional Airport |
Mobile |
Alabama |
MOB |
|
Molokai Airport |
Kaunakakai , Molokai |
Hawaii |
MKK |
|
Monroe Regional Airport |
Monroe |
Louisiana |
MLU |
|
Monterey Regional Airport |
Monterey |
California |
MRY |
|
Montgomery Regional Airport |
Montgomery |
Alabama |
MGM |
|
Montrose Regional Airport |
Montrose |
Colorado |
MTJ |
|
Morgantown Municipal Airport |
Morgantown |
West Virginia |
MGW |
|
Muskegon County Airport |
Muskegon |
Michigan |
MKG |
|
Myrtle Beach International Airport |
Myrtle Beach |
South Carolina |
MYR |
|
Nantucket Memorial Airport |
Nantucket |
Massachuttces |
ACK |
|
Nashville International Airport |
Nashville |
Tennessee |
BNA |
|
Newark Liberty International Airport |
Newark |
New Jersey |
EWR |
|
Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport |
Newport News |
Virginia |
PHF |
|
Niagara Falls International Airport |
Niagara Falls |
New York |
IAG |
|
Nome Airport |
Nome |
Alaska |
OME |
|
Norfolk International Airport |
Norfolk |
Virginia |
ORF |
|
Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport |
San Jose |
California |
SJC |
|
North Central West Virginia Airport |
Clarksburg |
West Virginia |
CKB |
|
North Las Vegas Airport |
Las Vegas / North Las Vegas |
Nevada |
VGT |
|
Northeast Florida Regional Airport |
St. Augustine |
Florida |
UST |
|
Northern Maine Regional Airport at Presque Isle |
Presque Isle |
Maine |
PQI |
|
Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport |
Fayetteville |
Arkansas |
XNA |
|
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport |
Panama City Beach |
Florida |
ECP |
|
Oakland International Airport |
Oakland |
California |
OAK |
|
Ogden-Hinckley Airport |
Ogden |
Utah |
OGD |
|
Ontario International Airport |
Ontario |
California |
ONT |
|
Orlando International Airport |
Orlando |
Florida |
MCO |
|
Orlando Sanford International Airport |
Orlando / Sanford |
Florida |
SFB |
|
Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport |
Owensboro |
Kentucky |
OWB |
|
Page Municipal Airport |
Page |
Arizona |
PGA |
|
Palm Beach International Airport |
West Palm Beach |
Florida |
PBI |
|
Palm Springs International Airport |
Palm Springs |
California |
PSP |
|
Pangborn Memorial Airport |
Wenatchee |
Washington |
EAT |
|
Pellston Regional Airport of Emmet County |
Pellston |
Michigan |
PLN |
|
Pensacola International Airport |
Pensacola |
Florida |
PNS |
|
Petersburg James A. Johnson Airport |
Petersburg |
Alaska |
PSG |
|
Philadelphia International Airport |
Philadelphia |
Pennsylvania |
PHL |
|
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport |
Phoenix |
Arizona |
PHX |
|
Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport |
Mesa |
Arizona |
AZA |
|
Piedmont Triad International Airport |
Greensboro |
North Carolina |
GSO |
|
Pitt-Greenville Airport |
Greenville |
North Carolina |
PGV |
|
Pittsburgh International Airport |
Pittsburgh |
Pennsylvania |
PIT |
|
Plattsburgh International Airport |
Plattsburgh |
New York |
PBG |
|
Pocatello Regional Airport |
Pocatello / Arbon Valley |
Idaho |
PIH |
|
Portland International Airport |
Portland |
Oregon |
PDX |
|
Portland International Jetport |
Portland |
Maine |
PWM |
|
Portsmouth International Airport at Pease |
Portsmouth |
New Hampshire |
PSM |
|
Provincetown Municipal Airport |
Provincetown |
Massachuttces |
PVC |
|
Provo Municipal Airport |
Provo |
Utah |
PVU |
|
Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport |
Pullman / Moscow, Idaho |
Washington |
PUW |
|
Punta Gorda Airport |
Punta Gorda |
Florida |
PGD |
|
Quad City International Airport |
Moline |
Illinois |
MLI |
|
Quincy Regional Airport |
Quincy |
Illinois |
UIN |
|
Rafael Hernández International Airport |
Aguadilla |
Puerto Rico |
BQN |
|
Raleigh-Durham International Airport |
Raleigh |
North Carolina |
RDU |
|
Ralph Wien Memorial Airport |
Kotzebue |
Alaska |
OTZ |
|
Range Regional Airport |
Hibbing |
Minniesota |
HIB |
|
Rapid City Regional Airport |
Rapid City |
South Dakota |
RAP |
|
Redding Municipal Airport |
Redding |
California |
RDD |
|
Redmond Municipal Airport |
Redmond |
Oregon |
RDM |
|
Reno/Tahoe International Airport |
Reno |
Nevada |
RNO |
|
Republic Airport |
Farmingdale |
New York |
FRG |
|
Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport |
Rhinelander |
Wisconsin |
RHI |
|
Richmond International Airport |
Richmond |
Virginia |
RIC |
|
Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport |
Amarillo |
Texas |
AMA |
|
Rickenbacker International Airport |
Columbus |
Ohio |
LCK |
|
Riverton Regional Airport |
Riverton |
Wyoming |
RIW |
|
Roanoke Regional Airport |
Roanoke |
Virginia |
ROA |
|
Rochester International Airport |
Rochester |
Minniesota |
RST |
|
Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport |
Medford |
Oregon |
MFR |
|
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport |
Washington, D.C. / Arlington County |
Virginia |
DCA |
|
Roswell International Air Center |
Roswell |
New Mexico |
ROW |
|
Sacramento International Airport |
Sacramento |
California |
SMF |
|
Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport |
Salisbury |
Maryland |
SBY |
|
Salt Lake City International Airport |
Salt Lake City |
Utah |
SLC |
|
San Angelo Regional Airport |
San Angelo |
Texas |
SJT |
|
San Antonio International Airport |
San Antonio |
Texas |
SAT |
|
San Diego International Airport |
San Diego |
California |
SAN |
|
San Francisco International Airport |
San Francisco |
California |
SFO |
|
San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport |
San Luis Obispo |
California |
SBP |
|
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport |
Santa Barbara |
California |
SBA |
|
Santa Fe Regional Airport |
Santa Fe |
New Mexico |
SAF |
|
Santa Maria Public Airport |
Santa Maria |
California |
SMX |
|
Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport |
Sarasota / Bradenton |
Florida |
SRQ |
|
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport |
Savannah |
Georgia |
SAV |
|
Sawyer International Airport |
Marquette / Gwinn |
Michigan |
MQT |
|
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport |
Seattle / Tacoma ( SeaTac ) |
Washington |
SEA |
|
Sheridan County Airport |
Sheridan |
Wyoming |
SHR |
|
Shreveport Regional Airport |
Shreveport |
Louisiana |
SHV |
|
Sidney–Richland Municipal Airport |
Sidney |
Montana |
SDY |
|
Sioux Falls Regional Airport |
Sioux Falls |
South Dakota |
FSD |
|
Sioux Gateway Airport |
Sioux City |
Iowa |
SUX |
|
Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport |
Sitka |
Alaska |
SIT |
|
Sloulin Field International Airport |
Williston |
North Dakota |
ISN |
|
South Bend International Airport |
South Bend |
Indiana |
SBN |
|
Southwest Florida International Airport |
Fort Myers |
Florida |
RSW |
|
Southwest Georgia Regional Airport |
Albany |
Georgia |
ABY |
|
Southwest Oregon Regional Airport |
North Bend |
Oregon |
OTH |
|
Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport |
Rock Springs |
Wyoming |
RKS |
|
Spokane International Airport |
Spokane |
Washington |
GEG |
|
Springfield-Branson National Airport |
Springfield |
Missouri |
SGF |
|
St. Cloud Regional Airport |
St. Cloud |
Minniesota |
STC |
|
St. George Regional Airport |
St. George |
Utah |
SGU |
|
St. Louis Lambert International Airport |
St. Louis |
Missouri |
STL |
|
St. Mary’s Airport |
St. Mary’s |
Alaska |
KSM |
|
St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport |
St. Petersburg / Clearwater |
Florida |
PIE |
|
Stewart International Airport |
Newburgh |
New York |
SWF |
|
Stockton Metropolitan Airport |
Stockton |
California |
SCK |
|
Syracuse Hancock International Airport |
Syracuse |
New York |
SYR |
|
Tallahassee International Airport |
Tallahassee |
Florida |
TLH |
|
Tampa International Airport |
Tampa |
Florida |
TPA |
|
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport |
Anchorage |
Alaska |
ANC |
|
Texarkana Regional Airport |
Texarkana |
Arkansas |
TXK |
|
The Eastern Iowa Airport |
Cedar Rapids |
Iowa |
CID |
|
Theodore Francis Green State Airport |
Providence / Warwick |
Rhode Island |
PVD |
|
Toledo Express Airport |
Toledo |
Ohio |
TOL |
|
Topeka Regional Airport |
Topeka |
Kansas |
FOE |
|
Trenton Mercer Airport |
Trenton |
New Jersey |
TTN |
|
Tri-Cities Airport |
Pasco |
Washington |
PSC |
|
Tri-Cities Regional Airport |
Bristol / Johnson City / Kingsport |
Tennessee |
TRI |
|
Tri-State Airport |
Huntington |
West Virginia |
HTS |
|
Tucson International Airport |
Tucson |
Arizona |
TUS |
|
Tulsa International Airport |
Tulsa |
Oklahoma |
TUL |
|
Tweed New Haven Regional Airport |
New Haven |
Connecticut |
HVN |
|
Tyler Pounds Regional Airport |
Tyler |
Texas |
TYR |
|
Unalakleet Airport |
Unalakleet |
Alaska |
UNK |
|
Unalaska Airport |
Unalaska |
Alaska |
DUT |
|
University of Illinois – Willard Airport |
Champaign / Urbana |
Illinois |
CMI |
|
University Park Airport |
State College |
Pennsylvania |
SCE |
|
Valdez Airport |
Valdez |
Alaska |
VDZ |
|
Valdosta Regional Airport |
Valdosta |
Georgia |
VLD |
|
Valley International Airport |
Harlingen |
Texas |
HRL |
|
Waco Regional Airport |
Waco |
Texas |
ACT |
|
Walla Walla Regional Airport |
Walla Walla |
Washington |
ALW |
|
Washington Dulles International Airport |
Washington, D.C. / Dulles / Chantilly |
Virginia |
IAD |
|
Waterloo Regional Airport |
Waterloo |
Iowa |
ALO |
|
Watertown International Airport |
Watertown |
New York |
ART |
|
Westchester County Airport |
White Plains |
New York |
HPN |
|
Westerly State Airport |
Westerly |
Rhode Island |
WST |
|
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport |
Wichita |
Kansas |
ICT |
|
Wichita Falls Municipal Airport / Sheppard Air Force Base |
Wichita Falls |
Texas |
SPS |
|
Wiley Post–Will Rogers Memorial Airport |
Barrow |
Alaska |
BRW |
|
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport |
Wilkes-Barre / Scranton |
Pennsylvania |
AVP |
|
Will Rogers World Airport |
Oklahoma City |
Oklahoma |
OKC |
|
William P. Hobby Airport |
Houston |
Texas |
HOU |
|
William R. Fairchild International Airport |
Port Angeles |
Washington |
CLM |
|
Williamson County Regional Airport |
Marion |
Illinois |
MWA |
|
Williamsport Regional Airport |
Williamsport |
Pennsylvania |
IPT |
|
Wilmington Airport |
Wilmington |
Delaware |
ILG |
|
Wilmington International Airport |
Wilmington |
North Carolina |
ILM |
|
Worcester Regional Airport |
Worcester |
Massachuttces |
ORH |
|
Wrangell Airport |
Wrangell |
Alaska |
WRG |
|
Yakima Air Terminal |
Yakima |
Washington |
YKM |
|
Yakutat Airport |
Yakutat |
Alaska |
YAK |
|
Yampa Valley Airport Abbreviation |
Hayden |
Colorado |
HDN |
|
Yeager Airport |
Charleston |
West Virginia |
CRW |
|
Yellowstone Regional Airport |
Cody |
Wyoming |
COD |
|
Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport |
Youngstown / Warren |
Ohio |
YNG |
|
Yuma International Airport |
Yuma |
Arizona |
YUM |
FAQs
Can two airports in different countries share the same airport abbreviation?
No. Each active IATA airport code is globally unique. Once a three-letter abbreviation is assigned, it cannot be used by another airport in a different country at the same time, even if the city names are similar. This global uniqueness prevents routing errors in international reservation and baggage systems.
What happens to airport abbreviations when an airport permanently closes?
When an airport closes permanently, its IATA code is usually retired rather than reassigned. In rare cases, a code may be reused decades later, but only after extensive review to avoid confusion in historical data, flight records, and navigation systems.
Are airport abbreviations used differently for cargo and passenger flights?
Passenger and cargo flights use the same airport abbreviations. However, cargo systems rely more heavily on ICAO identifiers internally, especially for logistics, customs processing, and freight routing across multiple regions.
Do small regional airports have official international airport codes?
Yes. Many regional and domestic airports have official IATA codes even if they do not handle international flights. The code identifies the airport in reservation systems, charter operations, and domestic ticketing platforms.
Why do some airport abbreviations seem unrelated to the airport’s current name?
Some abbreviations reflect former airport names, nearby locations, or historical airfields. Once a code becomes widely integrated into global systems, it is rarely changed, even if the airport is renamed or rebranded.
How do booking platforms decide which airport abbreviation to show first?
Flight search engines typically prioritize airports based on passenger volume, distance to the city center, and route availability. The displayed order does not indicate importance—only search relevance and demand patterns.
Can airport abbreviations differ between booking platforms?
No. The airport abbreviation itself never changes. However, platforms may group airports under a city code, show alternative airport suggestions, or display local airport names differently, which can make the same code appear in different contexts.
Are airport abbreviations used in visa or immigration systems?
Yes. Airport abbreviations are embedded in immigration databases, entry records, and border control systems to record points of arrival and departure accurately. These codes help standardize travel history across countries.
How can travelers verify the correct airport abbreviation before booking?
The most reliable method is to cross-check the code with the airport’s official name and location in the booking interface. Using map-based previews or airport distance indicators helps confirm the correct arrival or departure point.
Why do some tickets show both a city code and an airport code?
City codes represent a metropolitan area, while airport codes identify a specific terminal location. Tickets may display both to clarify the region served and the exact airport used for the flight, especially in multi-airport cities.
Can airport abbreviations indicate the airport’s size or international status?
No. Airport abbreviations do not directly indicate the size, capacity, or whether an airport is international. Both small regional airports and major international hubs use three-letter IATA codes, so travelers should check flight schedules and airport facilities separately.
How are airport codes updated if a city builds a new airport near an existing one?
When a new airport opens, IATA assigns it a distinct code to avoid conflicts with existing airports. Legacy codes may be retired if an older airport closes, while codes for operational airports remain active to maintain global system integrity.
Are there unofficial airport abbreviations used by airlines?
Some airlines may internally reference airports with proprietary or shorthand codes for scheduling and operations. However, these are not used in ticketing, boarding passes, or official international systems, so passengers should rely on IATA codes.
Do airport codes affect flight pricing or availability?
Indirectly. Airport codes help booking engines differentiate airports within the same city. Flights to different airports in the same region may have different costs, schedules, and connection options, but the code itself does not set prices.
Can airport codes appear on luggage tags differently than on tickets?
Yes. Luggage tags may show the destination airport code or the final transfer airport, depending on the airline’s routing system. Understanding the code ensures travelers track their bags correctly and avoid confusion at connecting airports.
How do multi-airport cities manage airport codes for connecting flights?
Airlines and reservation systems route connections based on specific airport codes, not city names. Multi-airport cities use distinct IATA codes to ensure that passengers and baggage transfer accurately between terminals and flights.
Are airport codes used in mobile travel apps?
Yes. Apps like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Rome2Rio, and airline apps display IATA codes to standardize flight search results, track arrivals and departures, and link tickets to boarding passes. ICAO codes may appear in flight tracking or aviation apps for professional users.
Why do some codes include letters that don’t match the city name?
This usually reflects historical names, older airfields, or regional locations. Legacy codes remain because they are embedded in airline databases, navigation charts, and reservation systems, and changing them could cause operational errors.
Can travelers confuse city codes and airport codes when booking?
Yes. City codes represent a metropolitan area, whereas airport codes identify a specific airport. Mistaking one for the other can lead to booking a flight to a different airport than intended, especially in cities with multiple airports.
How do airport abbreviations assist in emergency or operational communications?
Airport codes allow airlines, air traffic controllers, and emergency responders to communicate quickly and unambiguously about specific airports. This standardized language reduces errors in flight routing, diversions, or incident management.
Hi! Thanks a lot for sharing this information! It is useful! I have a question please, are all airport codes 3 letters? Thank a lot in advance for your replies!
Hi Kim, yes, all airport codes are 3 letters. They always have 3 letters, though it was not like this before. In 1930s airport codes in the US had 2 letters. These 2 letters codes were used by the National Weather Service.
Is IATA a code?
IATA stands for the International Air Transport Association’s Location Identifier, which is a unique 3 letter code. It is also called IATA code, which is commonly used in the aviation to identify airports.