IATA Codes are an integral part of the travel industry and essential for the identification of an airline, its destinations and its traffic documents. They are also fundamental to the smooth running of hundreds of electronic applications which have been built around these coding systems for passenger and cargo traffic purposes.
Different IATA codes
Airline Designator Codes
Those companies assigned an IATA Airline Designator Code are to use such designators for reservations, schedules, timetables, telecommunications, ticketing, cargo documentation, legal, tariffs and/or other commercial/traffic purposes.
If you are interested in reviewing your eligibility and/or applying for an IATA Designator Code, please visit our IATA Codes page accessible via the IATA Customer Portal. Requirements are explained in the IATA Designator Code Requirements document (pdf).
Accounting or Prefix codes
Airline accounting codes and airline prefixes are essential for the identification of passenger and cargo traffic documents, processing of passenger accounting transactions, cargo transactions and other commercial/traffic purposes.
If you are interested in reviewing your eligibility and/or applying for an IATA Accounting and/or Prefix Code, please visit our IATA Codes page accessible via the IATA Customer Portal. Requirements are explained in the IATA Accounting and Prefix Code Requirements document (pdf).
Baggage Tag Issuer Code (BTIC)
Baggage tag issuer codes, combined with the tag serial number, are used to identify each piece of checked luggage through all baggage handling processes. They help provide a unique identifier during the complete journey. This unique identifier forms the basis of what is known as the “License Plate”.
If you are interested, in reviewing your eligibility and/or applying for a Baggage Tag Issuer Code, please visit our IATA Codes page accessible via the IATA Customer Portal. Requirements are explained in the Baggage Tag Issuer Codes (BTIC) Requirements document (pdf).
Location Identifiers
Airlines and CRSs may request the assignment of a unique three-letter code to identify a location like an airport. Bus or ferry stations may be eligible for an IATA location identifier if these locations are involved in intermodal airline travel.
If you are interested in applying for an IATA Location Code, please visit our IATA Codes page accessible via the IATA Customer Portal. Requirements are explained in the Location Codes Requirements document (pdf).
Find out a code - the official source for codes assigned by IATA
IATA publishes various coding data reference sources. Please refer to the below free and subscription-based resources should you: Need to find the code of an airline or which airline holds a specific code? Find the airport location code for any commercial airport world-wide and more.
Need more information on codes?
For more information on IATA Airline and Location codes, please contact us via the IATA Customer Portal.
FAQs
There are over 17,000 possible code combinations and currently approximately 11,300 codes are assigned. On average, how many codes does IATA issue per year? Approximately 40-50 codes are assigned annually.
What is IATA code for airline? ›
IATA airline designators, sometimes called IATA reservation codes, are two-character codes assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to the world's airlines.
What is the IATA location identifier? ›
An IATA airport code, also known as an IATA location identifier, IATA station code, or simply a location identifier, is a three-letter geocode designating many airports and metropolitan areas around the world, defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
What is my IATA code? ›
These codes help us to communicate quickly and efficiently when we refer to airports and airlines. You can find the 3-letter IATA airport code on your e-ticket next to the full name of the airport, for example, "Kuala Lumpur KUL". A Google search of the airport name will also provide you with the 3-letter IATA code.
Are all IATA codes 3 letters? ›
Every airport in the world is given a three-letter code from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and a four-letter code from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Are IATA codes unique? ›
IATA assigns a unique two-character code (Airline Designator Code) to all airlines – even the ones that aren't IATA members. It consists of 2 letters or a letter and a digit.
What is IATA code example? ›
These codes consist of 2 letters or a letter and a digit. For example, AA stands for American Airlines, QR for Qatar Airways, 5Y for Atlas Air, and so on. These codes identify an airline in various commercial scenarios: reservations, timetables, telecommunications, ticketing, cargo documentation, legal, tariffs, etc.
Do I need an IATA number to be a travel agent? ›
In order to book from IATA, the travel agent must get registered with IATA as an IATA travel agent. However, it is also possible to buy and sell tickets without getting affiliated with IATA. All travel agents who do so are known as non-IATA/independent travel agents.
Why are IATA codes important? ›
IATA Codes are an integral part of the travel industry and essential for the identification of an airline, its destinations and its traffic documents.
Are all airlines part of IATA? ›
IATA Members
From 57 founding members in 1945, IATA now represents some 320 airlines in over 120 countries. Carrying 83% of the world's air traffic, IATA members include the world's leading passenger and cargo airlines.
Cross-reference 7-digit IATA numeric code.
What is the 8 digit IATA number? ›
This 8-digit IATA Code is used as the industry-wide standard identification by suppliers such as hotel & resort chains, cruise lines, car rental companies, theme parks, rail companies to simplify reservations, sales activities and commission distribution.
How many IATA codes are there in the world? ›
How many airport codes are there? The IATA's three letter permutation (26 x 26 x 26) allows for a total of 17,576 unique location codes. According to the organization's website, they have currently administered over 11,000 location codes worldwide.
How many IATA are there? ›
From 57 founding members in 1945, IATA now represents some 320 airlines in over 120 countries.
How many IATA areas are there in the world? ›
IATA has over 50 offices over the world, supporting our members in some 120 countries. The IATA regional pages are your access to regional priorities and news.
How many IATA areas are there? ›
IATA defines the world into 3 areas (IATA area 1/2/3), and defines the IATA area into small areas (IATA Tariff sub-area).
