Airport codes

[Katamarino]

Ok, why do you all use 3 letters, but flight sim uses 4?? In flight sim auckland is NZAA, but 3 letters its AKL!

Is there a way to convert between them? WHY are there two different systems? Which do you use where?

[chrisburns]

3 letters are for like baggage etc. and reference, however the 4 letter ones are there for International designation, Example US Airports all begin with K etc.

[chrisburns]

Sorry, am having trouble explaining it in writing

[Greg]

There is the ICAO designation and the IATA designation.

http://www.wajb.freeserve.co.uk/codes.htm

This site gives the codes for airports and airlines.

[aloges]

Try http://www.airlinecodes.co.uk/ for just about each and every code in aviation.

And http://www.worldaerodata.com/ is good for all your runway length and similar inquiries.[/url]

[david_itl]

Got to be a bit careful with the 3 letter ones: the US can sometimes use their own. For example, Henderson Airport near Las Vegas has the FAA desigator HND which IATA lists as Haneda, Tokyo, with Henderson being listed as HSH.

David