By BrainFall Staff - Updated: March 15, 2024
The three letter codes used to identify airports around the world can be a little confusing. But they’re something every seasoned traveler needs to know. So let’s quiz you on your knowledge and see if you can match these airport codes with the right location.
Do You Know Airports By Code?
Navigating the skies isn't just about booking flights and packing your bags; it's also a hidden art of decoding cryptic three-letter combinations known as airport codes. Ever wondered why Los Angeles International Airport goes by "LAX?" You're not alone. These codes are like frequent flyer badges of honor, and if you can decode them, you're practically fluent in aviation-speak. From the "IATA" (International Air Transport Association) masterminds who assign these tags to your boarding pass, to the "ICAO" (International Civil Aviation Organization) codes used by pilots and air traffic controllers, there's a whole world of airport abbreviations waiting for you to conquer.
Imagine stepping up to the airline counter, cool as a cucumber, tossing out your best "JFK, please" with the confidence of a seasoned jet-setter. That swagger comes with knowing your airport codes inside and out. But hey, even if you don't know your "ORD" from your "MCO" just yet, don't fret. Airport codes are a quirky puzzle, and once you start piecing them together, it's strange how they stick in your head like jingles from retro commercials.
Decoding Airport Codes: A Traveler's Alphabet Soup
Before you test your airport code acumen, let's demystify the whimsical world of IATA and ICAO codes that help us navigate the globe.
From A to Z: Understanding Airport Codes
Ever wondered why the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is known as ATL or why Toronto's bustling hub is tagged YYZ? Let's start with IATA codes—the three-letter identifiers that grace your ticket and luggage tags. Unlike the IATA's easy-to-remember codes, ICAO's four-letter ensemble often feels like it's concocted by stirring the alphabet soup. For instance, New Zealand's Queenstown is coded NZQN, clearly stating its country and region.
The Stars of the Show: Iconic Airport Codes and Their Cities
Some codes are practically celebrities themselves. JFK, LAX, and CDG aren't just random trios; they're unique signatures for New York's John F. Kennedy International, Los Angeles International, and Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport. They're not always what you'd expect either—London's Heathrow isn't just LON but the rather dapper LHR.
Lost in Translation: Quirky Codes and Fun Facts
Ready for some giggles? Buckle up! Some airport codes can summon a chuckle or a raised eyebrow. Fancy flying into SUX? That's Sioux City, not a commentary on your travel destination. Or what about landing at LOL in Derby Field, making every arrival seem like the start of a joke. And let's give a nod to Canada's self-esteemed cuisine with the code YUM for Yuma International. Remember, behind these quirky codes, there's a method to the madness that keeps pilots and passengers from ending up in the wrong country.
