Plain English Meaning

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.

Full 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).

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 arrive and depart. Identifier comes from “,” meaning to show exactly what something is. Together, the phrase means the code used to tell one airport apart from another.