Back to Basics: Airport Codes
February 27, 2008 by Mary Jo Manzanares
Filed under Air Travel, Travel Tips
Frequent travelers may already be familiar with the three letter codes which are used as airport designators. Knowing these codes make it quicker to search for flights and fares online, and make it easier for you to double check that your checked bags are going to the same place that your are.
Some of the airport codes are obvious, others are not. But not paying attention to the airport code can mean you’re traveling to Long Beach, California (LGB) instead of New York LaGuardia (LGA).
You can search for information about nearly every airport in the world at World Airport Codes, where you can search by country, city, airport name, or airport code. Before beginning any travel planning, make sure you know that accurate airport code for your departure and arrival city.
NOTE: The photo above shows luggage tags for flights between Philadelphia and Jacksonville (Florida).
Photo credit: flickr
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That reminds me of a story I’d heard when I worked in travel for seven years. A woman was complaining about the tag they put on her luggage, that it wasn’t very nice. She was particularly overweight and thought the baggage handlers were making comments about it when she grabbed her luggage off the turnstyle upon arriving in Fresno. Fresno’s airport code is FAT.
That story is always good for a chuckle! Thanks for sharing it, Jason.