What is a location identifier, or airport code, and where can I find the identifier for a particular airport?
The FAA assigns location identifiers . We use three-letter or three-character identifiers for public-use airports and four-character identifiers for private-use airports on record with the FAA. In addition to airports, we also assign location identifiers to navigation aids, aviation weather reporting stations, manned air traffic control facilities, and other facilities. An airport’s location identifier often makes use of letters in the airport name or in the name of the associated city. For example, JFK is the location identifier for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and BOS is the identifier for Boston’s Logan International Airport. Some location identifiers, however, are more difficult to figure out. For example, Chicago O’Hare’s location identifier, ORD, refers to the former name of the airport — Orchard Field. O’Hare retained this location identifier because identifiers are considered permanent and nontransferable. Changes to location identifiers usually require s
The FAA assigns location identifiers . They use three-letter or three-character identifiers for public-use airports and four-character identifiers for private-use airports on record with the FAA. In addition to airports, they also assign location identifiers to navigation aids, aviation weather reporting stations, manned air traffic control facilities, and other facilities. An airports location identifier often makes use of letters in the airport name or in the name of the associated city. For example, JFK is the location identifier for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and BOS is the identifier for Bostons Logan International Airport. Some location identifiers, however, are more difficult to figure out. For example, Chicago OHares location identifier, ORD, refers to the former name of the airportOrchard Field. OHare retained this location identifier because identifiers are considered permanent and nontransferable. Changes to location identifiers usually require strong
