US Airport Codes: IATA Codes A to Z, State List, PDF Guide & Travel Info
Find the US airport code you need before booking a flight, filling out a travel form, arranging pickup, checking a baggage tag or building a travel spreadsheet. This guide explains IATA vs FAA vs ICAO codes and gives a traveler-focused A-to-Z list of major U.S. airport codes.
What are US airport codes?
US airport codes are short identifiers used to describe airports in travel, aviation, baggage, scheduling and transportation datasets. For everyday travelers, the useful code is usually the three-letter IATA airport code shown on airline tickets, boarding passes and luggage tags.
For example, LAX means Los Angeles International Airport, JFK means John F. Kennedy International Airport, and ORD means Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The code alone is not enough for every task because airport names, city markets and code systems can differ.
Airport live checks & travel tools
Use current local conditions, official live-status links and planning calculators before you travel. Airline gate, terminal and flight times can change; your carrier remains the final source for flight-specific details.
Live flight center
Check the airport's official flight board, then confirm any last-minute gate or timing change with the airline.
Current airport-area weather
Useful for planning your trip to the airport. This is model-based local weather, not an aviation METAR or an airline operational forecast.
Quick official checks
Open the source that matches the decision you are making right now.
When should I reach the airport?
A planning estimate based on flight type and common time buffers. Always increase the buffer for severe weather, major holidays, unusual airport alerts or airline instructions.
Connection-risk checker
This is a planning heuristic, not an airline minimum-connection-time rule. International arrivals that require U.S. entry processing, baggage claim and security can need substantially more time.
Parking cost estimator
Uses the airport-specific rates stored in this article's configuration. Rates can change; verify availability and final pricing on the official parking page before driving in.
Passenger pickup readiness
Landing time is not curb-ready time. Add time for taxiing, deplaning, baggage claim, customs when applicable and walking to the correct pickup zone.
Use for booking
Use the three-letter IATA code for airline reservations, baggage tags, check-in apps and most consumer travel searches.
Use for US facility lookup
FAA location identifiers are used in US aviation systems and can overlap with IATA for major passenger airports, but they are not the same system.
Use for aviation operations
ICAO codes are usually four characters in the continental United States, often beginning with “K,” such as KJFK, KLAX or KORD.
IATA vs FAA vs ICAO airport codes
IATA airport code
Format: usually three letters.
Seen on: flight searches, e-tickets, boarding passes, baggage tags, travel apps and airport pickup texts.
Example: MCO for Orlando International Airport.
FAA location identifier
Format: three or four characters in the FAA system.
Seen on: FAA airport records, facility lookups, aviation references and some US airport datasets.
Example: many major airports use the same identifier as their IATA code, but not all facilities do.
ICAO airport code
Format: four letters for airport location indicators.
Seen on: aviation weather, flight plans, ATC systems and some pilot tools.
Example: KATL for Atlanta and KLAX for Los Angeles.
Major US airport codes alphabetical list
This is a traveler-focused list of major and commonly searched U.S. airport codes, not the full FAA registry of every airport, heliport, seaplane base or general aviation field. Use the search box for a code, city, airport name or state.
US airport codes list by state
This section helps travelers find likely passenger airports by state. It is not a full federal inventory. For every public-use airport, use FAA NPIAS files or the FAA Location ID Database.
US airport codes list PDF: best way to save or verify
Many users search for “US airport codes list PDF” or “US airport codes A to Z PDF.” A static PDF can become stale when airport names, airline service, codes or data fields change, so the safer approach is to pair a printable traveler list with official verification links.
Save this page as a PDF
Use the Save as PDF button above or your browser’s print menu. This keeps the search notes, state list and common mistakes with the code list.
Use FAA files for official airport-system lists
The FAA publishes NPIAS airport lists and downloads for airport-system planning. These are better for official airport inventory work than a blog-style PDF.
Use IATA for passenger-code verification
The IATA code search is the better source when you need to confirm a passenger-facing three-letter airport code.
US airport code tools
Airport system selector
Choose the task and get the code system you should use.
City with multiple airports checker
Use this before booking a hotel shuttle, rental car or pickup.
Airport-code mistakes that cost travelers time or money
1. Booking the wrong airport in a multi-airport city
New York, Washington, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area and South Florida all have multiple practical airport choices.
2. Assuming the city name equals the airport location
Some airports serve a city market while sitting in a neighboring city, county or even another state. CVG is a classic example for the Cincinnati region because the airport is in Kentucky.
3. Confusing airline codes with airport codes
Airline codes and airport codes both appear in itineraries. DL is Delta Air Lines, but DEN is Denver International Airport. AA is American Airlines, not an airport.
4. Using airport codes alone in old datasets
For travel planning, code shorthand is fine. For historical analysis, airport codes can create errors because codes and airport names can change over time.
How to use a US airport code correctly
For passenger travel, this is usually the IATA code. Example: SEA means Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Do not rely on the city alone. Multi-airport regions can have different costs, terminals and ground transport options.
Use the airline, the airport website, IATA code search, FAA location database or BTS documentation depending on your task.
Use browser print or “Save as PDF” for a quick offline US airport codes list, then verify anything high-stakes before travel.
US airport codes quiz
Use this quick quiz for students, travel agents, aviation beginners or anyone learning common US airport codes.
Question 1
LAX is which airport?
Show answer
Los Angeles International Airport.
Question 2
ORD is which Chicago airport?
Show answer
Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Question 3
Which code is Orlando International Airport?
Show answer
MCO.
Question 4
Which airport code is used for Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas?
Show answer
LAS.
Question 5
Which New York airport uses JFK?
Show answer
John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Question 6
Which code is Denver International Airport?
Show answer
DEN.