Definition
A short alphanumeric code, typically three or four characters, that uniquely designates a specific airport. In the United States, most public airports use a three-letter FAA identifier (e.g., LAX, JFK), while ICAO four-letter codes are used internationally and in flight planning systems (e.g., KLAX, KJFK). Smaller or private airports may use codes that mix letters and numbers (e.g., 1G3).
Plain English
A short code, usually three or four letters, used to name a specific airport so it can be looked up quickly on charts, in the GPS, or in the flight computer.
Context Anchor
Seen on moving-map displays, nearest-airports pages, flight planning screens, charts, and airport information listings.
Derivation
Airport combines “air” with “port,” meaning a place where aircraft arrive and depart. Identifier comes from “identify,” meaning to show exactly what something is. Together, the phrase means the code used to tell one airport apart from another.
Why Pilots Care
Enables rapid selection of suitable airports for diversion or approach loading without ambiguity.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the airport identifier is the airport’s full name, runway number, or radio name. It is the short official code used by charts and aircraft systems.
Example Sentence 1
She entered the airport identifier KBED into the PFD to bring up Hanscom Field on the Nearest Airports page.
Example Sentence 2
Enter the airport identifier into the flight management system to load the correct approach.