What do airport codes consist of?

Airport codes are commonly represented by three-letter codes, which are assigned to airports worldwide for easier identification and communication. These codes are standardized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Three-letter airport codes are used in ticketing, baggage handling, flight scheduling, and other operational uses, allowing for efficient and clear reference to airports. For example, Los Angeles International Airport is identified as LAX, and John F. Kennedy International Airport is known as JFK. This system is beneficial for travel-related purposes as it avoids confusion that might arise from using shorter identifiers.

In contrast, four-digit numerical codes are not typically the standard for airport identification. Two-letter abbreviations do exist but are primarily used for airlines rather than airports. Single letter identifiers are insufficient for differentiating between the large number of airports around the globe. Thus, the prevalent format for airport codes is the three-letter system, confirming the choice as accurate.