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.