IATA code.
An IATA code is a three-letter code assigned by the International Air Transport Association to airports, cities and metropolitan areas, for example LHR for London Heathrow and JFK for New York John F. Kennedy. Assignment is governed by IATA Resolution 763 and the codes are used in airline ticketing, reservations and baggage handling. IATA also assigns two-letter airline designators.
| Term | IATA code |
|---|---|
| Used in | Private aviation, charter brokerage and operations |
| Related terms | ICAO code, Slot, General aviation terminal |
| Sources | 2 listed below |
What does IATA code mean in practice?
IATA codes are the ones many travellers know, because they appear on airline tickets and baggage tags.
Private aviation uses them too, especially in customer-facing documents, but relies on ICAO codes for operations. The distinction matters in a few situations. Some general aviation airfields have no IATA code, so a broker may quote you an ICAO code only. Some IATA codes refer to a city rather than an airport, such as LON for London, and a private flight needs a specific airfield. And some codes are easy to confuse across the two systems: LHV is an IATA code for a small airport in Pennsylvania, not a London airport. When you receive a confirmation, check the full airport name, the ICAO code and the FBO or terminal address, not just the three letters. IATA is the trade association of the world's airlines; it does not regulate charter operators or brokers.
Questions
What does IATA code mean?
An IATA code is a three-letter code assigned by the International Air Transport Association to airports, cities and metropolitan areas, for example LHR for London Heathrow and JFK for New York John F. Kennedy. Assignment is governed by IATA Resolution 763 and the codes are used in airline ticketing, reservations and baggage handling. IATA also assigns two-letter airline designators.
Sources
- Wikipedia: IATA airport code (accessed 2026-09-20)
- IATA: Airline and airport code search (accessed 2026-09-20)
Last reviewed 20 September 2026 by Empty Leg Exclusive Editorial Team.