If you’ve ever looked at an airline ticket, boarding pass or baggage tag and wondered what a code like LHR, PETC, VGML or BA means, you’re not alone. Airlines use hundreds of different codes every day to identify airports, airlines, aircraft, passenger services, special meals and much more.
While these abbreviations may look confusing at first, each one has a specific purpose. Some help route your luggage around the world, while others tell cabin crew about a pre-booked meal or let airport staff know you’ve requested special assistance.
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Whether you’re planning a family holiday, travelling with a disability, flying with dietary requirements or you’re simply curious about aviation, understanding airline codes can make travelling much less confusing.
In this guide you’ll learn:
- What airline codes are
- The different types of aviation codes
- How airport and airline codes differ
- What SSR codes mean
- How airline meal codes work
- Where you’ll commonly see airline codes during your journey
You’ll also find links to our detailed guides covering individual airline codes, special assistance requests and airline meal codes.
Common Aviation Abbreviations
Before looking at the different types of airline codes, it’s useful to understand a few of the abbreviations you’ll come across throughout this guide.
These organisations and terms form the basis of many of the codes used in aviation.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| IATA | International Air Transport Association | Assigns airport codes, airline codes and meal codes used by passengers. |
| ICAO | International Civil Aviation Organization | Assigns operational airline and airport codes used by pilots and air traffic control. |
| SSR | Special Service Request | Codes used to request assistance or additional services. |
| PRM | Passenger with Reduced Mobility | Common term for travellers requiring accessibility support. |
| ETA | Estimated Time of Arrival | The expected arrival time of a flight. |
| ETD | Estimated Time of Departure | The expected departure time of a flight. |
| PNR | Passenger Name Record | Your booking reference stored by the airline. |
The Different Types of Airline Codes
The term “airline codes” actually covers several different coding systems used throughout aviation.
Each serves a different purpose, so understanding the basics can make booking flights and reading travel documents much easier.
| Code Type | Examples | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Airport codes | LHR, JFK, SIN | Identifying airports |
| Airline codes | BA, EK, QR | Identifying airlines |
| SSR codes | WCHR, DPNA, PETC | Special assistance and services |
| Airline meal codes | VGML, GFML, KSML | Special meals |
| Other aviation codes | SSSS, Y, J | Security checks, fare classes and more |
The sections below explain each type in more detail.
Airport Codes Explained
Airport codes are probably the airline codes most travellers recognise.
Almost every commercial airport in the world has its own unique three-letter identifier, known as an IATA airport code. These are assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and are used on booking confirmations, boarding passes, baggage tags and departure screens.
Some well-known examples include:
| Airport | Code |
|---|---|
| London Heathrow | LHR |
| Edinburgh | EDI |
| Manchester | MAN |
| New York JFK | JFK |
| Singapore Changi | SIN |
| Hong Kong | HKG |
| Bangkok Suvarnabhumi | BKK |
Airport codes make it much easier to identify destinations, especially when cities have multiple airports. For example, London has Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), London City (LCY) and Southend (SEN).
If you’re booking flights, it’s always worth checking the airport code carefully to make sure you’re travelling to the correct airport.
Airline Codes Explained
Throughout this guide you’ll see references to both IATA and ICAO. IATA codes are the ones passengers usually see on tickets and boarding passes, while ICAO codes are mainly used by pilots, air traffic control and airline operations.
Airlines also have their own unique codes. These are usually two-character IATA airline codes, which appear before your flight number.
For example:
- BA148 – British Airways
- EK15 – Emirates
- QR3 – Qatar Airways
- SQ317 – Singapore Airlines
- FR556 – Ryanair
Airlines also have separate three-letter ICAO codes, which are mainly used operationally by air traffic control rather than by passengers.
For most travellers, the two-letter IATA code is the one you’ll see most often when checking flight information or reading your boarding pass.
SSR Codes Explained
SSR stands for Special Service Request.
These internationally recognised codes allow airlines to record additional services or assistance that a passenger has requested before travelling. SSR codes don’t just relate to disabilities. They cover a wide range of passenger services, including medical needs, travelling with pets and accessibility support.
Some common examples include:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| WCHR | Wheelchair assistance (can walk short distances) |
| DPNA | Passenger with an intellectual or developmental disability requiring assistance |
| MEDA | Medical clearance required |
| PETC | Pet travelling in the cabin |
| BLND | Blind or visually impaired passenger |
When an SSR code is added to your booking, it helps airport staff and cabin crew understand what assistance or arrangements have been requested before you arrive at the airport.
Rather than explaining your needs repeatedly, the appropriate code communicates this information throughout your journey.
Related guides:
- What Are Airline SSR Codes?
- Airline Disability Codes Explained
- Wheelchair Assistance Codes Explained
Airline Meal Codes Explained
Many airlines also use four-letter meal codes to identify special meals requested by passengers before a flight. These codes help airline catering teams prepare the correct meals and ensure cabin crew know who ordered each one.
Some of the most common include:
| Code | Meal |
|---|---|
| VGML | Vegan Meal |
| GFML | Gluten Free Meal |
| KSML | Kosher Meal |
| MOML | Muslim Meal |
| DBML | Diabetic Meal |
| CHML | Child Meal |
| BBML | Baby Meal |
Depending on the airline, there may be more than 30 different special meals available. These range from medical diets and allergy-friendly options to religious meals, vegetarian meals and children’s meals.
Related guides:
Other Aviation Codes
Although airport, airline, SSR and meal codes are the most common, you may also come across other aviation codes while travelling.
These include:
- SSSS – Secondary Security Screening Selection
- Fare classes (Y, J, F, W etc.)
- Aircraft type codes (A320, B787)
- Baggage tag codes
- Terminal numbers
- Gate numbers
Each serves a different purpose, helping airlines, airports and security staff keep flights running smoothly.
Where Will You See Airline Codes?
You might spot airline codes on:
- Boarding passes
- Flight booking confirmations
- E-tickets
- Airport departure boards
- Arrival screens
- Baggage tags
- Mobile boarding passes
- Airline apps
- Special assistance confirmations
- Meal request confirmations
Why Airlines Use Codes Instead of Full Descriptions
With millions of passengers travelling every day, airlines need a quick and consistent way to share information. Using standardised codes makes communication faster, reduces misunderstandings and ensures that airports, airlines and travel agents around the world are all speaking the same language, even if they don’t share the same spoken language.
Instead of writing “Passenger requires wheelchair assistance to the aircraft seat”, an airline can simply use the code WCHC. Likewise, VGML instantly tells catering teams to prepare a vegan meal, while LHR identifies London Heathrow Airport.
These short codes help airlines:
- Process bookings more efficiently.
- Reduce errors.
- Coordinate services between airports and airlines.
- Prepare special meals.
- Arrange accessibility support.
- Route passengers and baggage correctly.
Without these coding systems, international air travel would be far slower and much more prone to mistakes.
How to Find the Meaning of an Airline Code
If you’ve spotted a code on your booking confirmation, boarding pass or baggage tag, the easiest way to work out what it means is to identify what type of code it is.
As a general guide:
| If the code looks like… | It’s probably… |
|---|---|
| Three letters (LHR, JFK, BKK) | An airport code |
| Two letters (BA, EK, FR) | An airline code |
| Four letters (WCHR, PETC, MEDA) | An SSR code |
| Four letters ending in ML (VGML, GFML, KSML) | A special meal code |
If you’re still unsure, you can:
- Check your booking confirmation.
- Contact your airline.
- Look at your airline’s accessibility or special meal information.
- Browse our airline code guides for a full explanation.
If you’re travelling with a disability, medical condition or dietary requirement, it’s worth checking your booking before you travel to make sure the correct code has been added.
Continue Learning About Airline Codes
If you’d like to learn more about the different airline codes used around the world, these guides are a great place to start (coming soon).
Airport and Airline codes
Learn how airport and airline identifier codes work.
- Airport Codes Explained
- Airline Codes Explained
- What Does SSSS Mean on a Boarding Pass?
Airline Assistance and SSR codes
Find the right SSR code for your needs.
- What Are Airline SSR Codes?
- Airline Disability Codes Explained
- Wheelchair Assistance Codes Explained
- DPNA Airline Code Explained
- PETC Airline Code Explained
- MEDA Airline Code Explained
Airline Meal Codes
Explore vegetarian, allergy, religious and medical meal options.
- Complete Airline Meal Codes List
- Vegetarian & Vegan Airline Meal Codes
- Medical Airline Meal Codes
- Religious Airline Meal Codes
- Airline Meal Codes for Allergies
- Baby & Child Airline Meal Codes
Whether you’re trying to understand an unfamiliar airport code, arrange special assistance or choose the right meal for your next flight, our growing collection of airline code guides is designed to help make travel a little easier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airline Codes
What are airline codes?
Airline codes are short combinations of letters or numbers used throughout aviation to identify airports, airlines, special assistance requests, meals and other important travel information.
What is the difference between an airport code and an airline code?
An airport code identifies an airport, such as LHR for London Heathrow or JFK for New York John F. Kennedy International Airport. An airline code identifies an airline, such as BA for British Airways or EK for Emirates.
What does SSR mean in aviation?
SSR stands for Special Service Request. These four-letter codes are used to record services such as wheelchair assistance, travelling with a pet, medical requirements or other passenger needs.
What are airline meal codes?
Airline meal codes are four-letter abbreviations used to identify special meals requested before a flight. Examples include VGML for a vegan meal, GFML for a gluten-free meal and KSML for a kosher meal.
Can I request an airline meal after checking in?
Usually not. Most airlines require special meals to be requested in advance, often between 24 and 48 hours before departure. The exact deadline varies by airline.
Are airline codes the same worldwide?
Many airline codes, including IATA airport codes, airline designator codes and SSR codes, are internationally recognised. However, some airlines also use their own internal codes for operational purposes.
Although they may look like random letters at first glance, airline codes are an essential part of modern air travel.
From airport and airline identifiers to special assistance requests and meal codes, these systems help airlines and airports communicate quickly, reduce errors and provide the services passengers need.
Understanding the basics can make it much easier to read your booking, request the right assistance and feel more confident when travelling.
If you’ve come across an unfamiliar code, explore our detailed airline code guides to learn exactly what it means and how it could affect your journey.
Continue Learning About Airline Codes
The MEDA airline code is just one of several Special Service Request (SSR) codes airlines use to record a passenger’s medical, disability or assistance needs. Other codes can indicate wheelchair assistance, reduced mobility, visual or hearing impairments, travelling with an assistance dog, or other support requirements. There are even codes for which type of meal you want to order and many other codes used within the airport and by airlines.
Understanding these SSR codes can make it easier to check that the right assistance has been added to your booking. You can explore my guides to airline SSR disability codes to learn what the different codes mean, when they are used and what support you may need to arrange before you fly.
- Airline and airport codes and what they mean
- Learn what airline SSR codes or disability codes are and who should use them
- Download a copy of all of the airline SSR disability codes for free
- Airline meal codes explained
- Download a list of all of the airline meal codes for free
- Learn which airline meal codes are for travellers with allergies
- What does LSML mean?
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
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Continue Planning Your Trip as a Traveller With ADHD
- First, check out my travel guide for ADHD travellers for practical planning advice
- Learn what to include on a doctors letter for travelling with medication so you get your letter right the first time
- Find out more about flying with medical luggage and equipment and what extras you can bring for free
- Check out why you should learn important phrases related to your disability before you travel and download the free eBook with accessible travel translations from my guide
- Find out about the different codes airports and airlines use, especially disability codes
- Learn more about the DPNA code and what it means for travellers with hidden disabilities
- Find out more about the Sunflower Lanyard and how it can support ADHD travellers
- Learn more about getting help at the airport as someone with ADHD and how it can support your travel plans
- Find out how to use the PRM Assist app to book special assistance at the airport
Continue Planning Your Accessible Travels Using My Guides
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