Quick Facts
- Type
- Industry Organization
- Also Known As
- IATA
- Used By
- Airlines, Airports
Definition#
IATA stands for International Air Transport Association. Founded in 1945, it is the trade association representing the world's airlines, facilitating cooperation on commercial standards, ticketing, pricing, and safety.
Why It Matters Operationally#
IATA assigns the 3-letter airport codes (e.g., JFK, LHR) used in passenger-facing systems, creates the 2-letter airline designator codes, and maintains the interline settlement system that allows passengers to book multi-carrier itineraries on a single ticket.
IATA vs ICAO Codes#
| Feature | IATA | ICAO |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3 letters | 4 letters |
| Example | JFK | KJFK |
| Usage | Passenger-facing | Operational / ATC |
Related Guides#
- ICAO vs IATA Airport Codes Explained
- Airline Alliances Explained
- Codeshare Flights Explained
- How Airlines Make Money