Air Travel

Question:

Archive-name: air-travel/na-airport-codes Last-Modified: Tue Jun  30 17:37:38 CDT 1992 This is one in a series of FAQ lists that are posted monthly.  Postings 1/5 through 5/5 include this introduction. The charter of REC.TRAVEL.AIR is to serve as a discussion group for issues related to air travel (surprise!).  This monthly posting of frequently asked questions (FAQ) is intended to prevent the recurrence of specific questions or types of questions that are either unanswerable, or are asked seemingly weekly. Some topics are mostly U.S./North American based, while others are global in interest.  The information contained here is based on the best postings from the net on these subjects, and thanks are due to the netters who provided them. Information from international sources would be a welcome addition.   As with any newsgroup, it is best to read it for a few weeks before posting anything, in order to see what topics are currently being discussed.   Please keep in mind that air travel is subject to a complex set of rules, regulations, and agreements (official or unofficial) between governments, airlines, and ticket agencies.  Information transmitted over the net is not definitive.  Netters offer what they know with good intentions;  however, no guarantee is made the that information contained in this list is 100% correct.   Having said that, know then, that all information herein is offered AS IS with no implied warranty of accuracy whatsoever. Currently, the number of lists totals six.  Five are posted by Larry Autry article on "How to Get Cheap Airtickets" by Mark Kantrowitz The subjects of these five lists are as follows: I.   Intro and Answers to General Questions II.  Airport Codes For North America III. Airport Codes For The World IV.  Ticket Consolidator Article (Bucket Shops) V.   Article About How To Prevent Jetlag This month, I have changed the way field layout.  Since this is rec.travel.air and not rec.aviation, the extraneous fields have been removed.  The only thing I would add is the time zone. There are some glaring inaccuracies within these codes.  Notably, "MN" is used where MB (Manitoba) should be.  I did not have the energy to go through and check each "MN" city for accuracy.  If you submit the changes to me, I will insert them. YXX:Abbotsford, BC ABR:Aberdeen, SD ABI:Abilene, TX ADK:Adak, AK ANW:Ainsworth, NE AFF:Air Force A, CO YKD:Aklavik, NT AKO:Akron, CO NGZ:Alameda NAS, CA ALS:Alamosa, CO ABY:Albany, GA ALB:Albany, NY AEL:Albert Lea, MN ABQ:Albuquerque, NM WAQ:Alert Bay, BC WLT:Alert, NT YLT:Alert, NT ESF:Alexandria, LA AXN:Alexandria, MN ALI:Alice, TX ABE:Allentown, PA AIA:Alliance, NE AMG:Alma, GA APN:Alpena, MI ALN:Alton, IL AOO:Altoona, PA S11:Alturas, CA LTS:Altus AFB, OK AMA:Amarillo, TX Z60:Ambler, AK N28:Ambrose, NY WAH:Amherst, NS WAN:Amphitrite, BC ANC:Anchorage, AK MRI:Anchorage, AK AID:Anderson, KS AND:Anderson, SC ADW:Andrews AFB, MD AGN:Angoon, AK ANI:Aniak, AK ARB:Ann Arbor, MI ANN:Annette Isl, AK ANB:Anniston, AL ANY:Anthony, KS AQQ:Apalachicola, FL ATW:Appleton, WI ACV:Arcata, CA ADM:Ardmore, OK WAR:Argentia, NF WYW:Armstrong, ON YEK:Arviat, NT AVL:Asheville, NC ASE:Aspen, CO 90J:Astor NAS, FL AST:Astoria, OR AHN:Athens, GA UNI:Athens/Albany, OH ATL:Atlanta, GA ATL:Atlanta, GA PDK:Atlanta/Dklb, GA FTY:Atlanta/Fltn, GA ACY:Atlantic Cty, NJ WHX:Atlantic Wea, NS ATU:Attu, AK AUO:Auburn, AL AUG:Augusta, ME AGS:Augusta/Bush, GA ARR:Aurora, IL 3S2:Aurora, OR AUI:Austin, NV U31:Austin, NV AUS:Austin, TX AGR:Avon Park G, FL WDI:Badger, NF YBG:Bagotville, QC WBC:Baie Comeau, QC YBC:Baie Comeau, QC BAK:Bakalar Af, IN YBK:Baker Lake, NT BKE:Baker, OR BFL:Bakersfield, CA BWI:Baltimore, MD MTN:Baltimore, MD WBA:Banff, AB WZG:Banff, AB BGR:Bangor, ME BHB:Bar Harbor, ME HNA:Barbers Pt, HI HNA:Barbers Pt, HI BKH:Barking San, HI BAD:Barksdale, LA N78:Barnegat Ls, NJ WCU:Barrie, ON BRW:Barrow, AK BTI:Barter Islan, AK BVO:Bartlesville, OK BOW:Bartow, FL BTR:Baton Rouge, LA BTL:Battle Creek, MI BAM:Battle Mtn, NV BAB:Beale AFB, CA BIE:Beatrice, NE NBC:Beaufort Mca, SC BUO:Beaumont, CA WBS:Beausejour, MN YXQ:Beaver Creek, YT BVI:Beaver Falls, PA WBV:Beaver Isl, NF BKW:Beckley, WV BED:Bedford, MA YBD:Bella Coola, BC WDD:Belle River, ON BLI:Bellingham, WA BJI:Bemidji Muni, MN BEH:Benton Harbor, MI YBV:Berens River, MN BSM:Bergstrom Af, TX BML:Berlin, NH BET:Bethel Arpt, AK BTT:Bettles, AK BVY:Beverly, MA BYS:Bicycle Lk, CA L35:Big Bear Apt, CA BIG:Big Delta, AK BPI:Big Piney, WY 5BI:Big River Lk, AK HCA:Big Spring, TX WTL:Big Trout Lk, ON YTL:Big Trout Lk, ON BIL:Billings, MT BGM:Binghamton, NY BHM:Birmingham, AL BIH:Bishop, CA BIS:Bismarck, ND WBJ:Bissett, MN CPS:Bistate Park, IL YBX:Blanc Sablon, QC 4BL:Blanding, UT BID:Block Island, RI BMI:Bloomington, IL BMG:Bloomington, IN BLU:Blue Canyon, CA WSV:Blue River, BC YCP:Blue River, BC BLF:Bluefield, WV BLH:Blythe, CA BYH:Blytheville, AR BOI:Boise, ID WVA:Bonavista, NF WWL:Bonilla Isl, BC BVE:Boothville, LA WTB:Border, QC BOS:Boston, MA WEJ:Bow Drill, NF BWG:Bowling Gren, KY BZN:Bozeman, MT BDF:Bradford, IL BFD:Bradford, PA BRD:Brainerd-Crw, MN YBR:Brandon, MN PWT:Bremerton, WA BDR:Bridgeport, CT TRI:Bristol, TN WBI:Britt, ON BJC:Brmfield/Jef, CO 4BQ:Broadus, MT WIK:Broadview, SK BBW:Broken Bow, NE 4BK:Brookings, OR BKX:Brookings, SD YVM:Broughton Is, NT WVM:Broughton, NT BRO:Brownsville, TX BWD:Brownwood, TX SSI:Brunswick, GA NHZ:Brunswick, ME BKF:Buckley, CO YVT:Buffalo Nar, SK BUF:Buffalo, NY WVT:Buffalo, SK U17:Bullfrog Mar, UT BUR:Burbank, CA WBD:Burgeo, NF BYI:Burley, ID BRL:Burlington, IA BUY:Burlington, NC WWB:Burlington, ON BTV:Burlington, VT 75S:Burlington, WA BNO:Burns Arpt, OR WPZ:Burns Lake, BC YDB:Burwash, YT BUB:Burwell, NE BUM:Butler, MO BTM:Butte, MT YUK:Byron Bay, NT YYC:Calgary Intl, AB YBW:Calgary/Sprn, AB P38:Caliente, NV CAM:Camaguey, CU YCB:Cambridge, NT CDH:Camden, AR 7R5:Cameron Heli, LA NFG:Camp Pendlet, CA YBL:Campbell Rvr, BC CZZ:Campo, CA WOA:Camsell Riv, NT CVS:Cannon, NM CAK:Canton, OH Z68:Cantwell, AK WSG:Cap Chat, QC WRZ:Cap D’espoir, QC 92S:Cape Blanco, OR XMR:Cape Canaveral, FL 30B:Cape Cod Can, MA CDE:Cape Decis, AK YTE:Cape Dorset, NT YVN:Cape Dyer, NT HAT:Cape Hattera, NC 5HN:Cape Hinchi, AK WUZ:Cape Hooper, NT ZUE:Cape Parry, NT WRA:Cape Race, NF CSP:Cape Spence, AK 5CE:Cape St Eli, AK WFV:Cape St Jam, BC YUI:Cape Young, NT MDH:Carbondale, IL WCI:Caribou Isl, ON CAR:Caribou Mun, ME WBK:Caribou, NS CRQ:Carlsbad, CA CNM:Carlsbad, NM FWH:Carswell AFB, TX WCA:Cartwright, NF CZK:Cascade, OR HAD:Caspar, WY CPR:Casper, WY MER:Castle AFB, CA YCG:Castlegar, BC WME:Cathedral Pt, BC NZC:Cecil, FL CDC:Cedar City, UT CID:Cedar Rapids, IA CKL:Centreville, AL CDR:Chadron, NE U15:Challis, ID 9V9:Chamberlain, SD CHB:Chamberlain, SD CMI:Champaign/Urbana, IL WCR:Chandalar Lk, AK CNU:Chanute, KS YLD:Chapleau, ON CHS:Charleston, SC CRW:Charleston, WV YML:Charlevoix, QC YCL:Charlo, NB CLT:Charlotte, NC CHO:Charlottesvi, VA YYG:Charlotteto, PE NIR:Chase NAS, TX CHH:Chatham, MA YCH:Chatham, NB CHA:Chattanooga, TN NKT:Cherry Point, NC W39:Chesapeake, VA YCS:Chesterfield, NT YCQ:Chetwynd Apt, BC WDM:Chevery, QC CYS:Cheyenne, WY YMT:Chibougamau, QC CHI:Chicago, IL CGX:Chicago/Meigs, IL MDW:Chicago/Midway, IL ORD:Chicago/O’hare, IL CIC:Chico, CA CDS:Childress, TX NID:China Lake, CA CNO:Chino, CA CIU:Chippewa, MI Z00:Chulitna, AK ZUM:Churchill F, NF YYQ:Churchill, MN CVG:Cincinnati, OH LUK:Cincinnati, OH CRC:Circle City, AK 01R:Claiborne R, LA CKB:Clarksburg, WV CKV:Clarksville, TN CAO:Clayton Arpt, NM BKL:Cleveland, OH CGF:Cleveland, OH CLE:Cleveland, OH WXK:Clinton Pt, NT WCL:Clinton, BC CSM:Clinton, OK WNC:Cobourg, ON COD:Cody, WY COE:Coeur Dalene, ID 3KM:Col. J Jabar, KS CDB:Cold Bay, AK YOD:Cold Lake, AB CLL:College Stn, TX WKC:Collins Bay, SK COS:Colo Sprgs, CO COU:Columbia, MO CAE:Columbia, SC CUB:Columbia, SC CBM:Columbus AFB, MS OSU:Columbus Osu, OH CSG:Columbus, GA OLU:Columbus, NE CMH:Columbus, OH 63S:Colville, WA YQQ:Comox, BC CCR:Concord, CA CON:Concord, NH CNK:Concordia, KS C10:Coopersville, MI P59:Copper Harb, MI YCO:Coppermine, NT YZS:Coral Harb, NT CDV:Cordova, AK 4CR:Corona, NM WCT:Coronation, AB YCT:Coronation, AB CRP:Corpus Chrst, TX NGP:Corpus Chrst, TX CEZ:Cortez, CO CVO:Corvallis, OR COT:Cotulla, TX WWX:Cove Island, ON CZD:Cozad, NE WCD:Cp Bathurst, NT CGI:Cp Girardeau, MO CGA:Craig, AK CAG:Craig-Moffat, CO YXC:Cranbrook, BC WFN:Cree Lake, SK CEC:Crescent Cty, CA CEW:Crestview, FL CTY:Cross City, FL CSV:Crossville, TN 4SL:Cuba Awrs, NM 0V1:Custer, SD CTB:Cut Bank, MT DWH:D.w. Hooks, TX DAG:Daggett, CA DHT:Dalhart, TX NBE:Dallas NAS, TX ADS:Dallas/Addis, TX DFW:Dallas/FW, TX DAL:Dallas/Love, TX RBD:Dallas/Redbr, TX DXR:Danbury, CT WDH:Daniel Harb, NF DSV:Dansville, NY DNV:Danville, IL DAN:Danville, VA 2DP:Dare Co Gr, NC WDN:Dauphin, MN YDN:Dauphin, MN DMA:Davis-M AFB, AZ YDQ:Dawson Creek, BC YDA:Dawson, YT DAY:Dayton, OH DAB:Daytona Bch, FL SCC:Deadhorse, AK WDL:Dease Lake, BC DEC:Decatur, IL YDF:Deer Lake, NF DVT:Deer Valley, AZ DRT:Del Rio, TX U24:Delta, UT DMN:Deming, NM DEN:Denver, CO DSM:Des Moines, IA DTL:Detroit Laks, MN DET:Detroit, MI DTW:Detroit, MI DVL:Devil’s Lake, ND P11:Devil’s Lake, ND WUW:Dewar Lakes, NT 44W:Diamond Sho, NC DIK:Dickenson, ND DLG:Dillingham, AK DLN:Dillon, MT MGE:Dobbins AFB, GA MGF:Dobbins AFB, GA DDC:Dodge City, KS DHN:Dothan, AL DUG:Douglas, AZ 4DG:Douglas, WY DOV:Dover, DE 3DU:Drummond, MT YHD:Dryden Muni, ON DPA:Du Page, IL DUJ:Dubois, PA DBQ:Dubuque, IA 5SZ:Duffys Tavern, AK DPG:Dugway Prvgr, UT EGI:Duke Fld, FL DLH:Duluth, MN DRO:Durango, CO DUT:Dutch Harbor, AK DYR:Dyersburg, TN DYS:Dyess AFB, TX WEH:E. Cypress, SK EAA:Eagle Arpt, AK U16:Eagle Range, … read more »

Response:

Archive-name: air-travel/faq Last-Modified: Tue Jun  30 17:37:38 CDT 1992 This is one in a series of FAQ lists that are posted monthly.  Postings 1/5 through 5/5 include this introduction. The charter of REC.TRAVEL.AIR is to serve as a discussion group for issues related to air travel (surprise!).  This monthly posting of frequently asked questions (FAQ) is intended to prevent the recurrence of specific questions or types of questions that are either unanswerable, or are asked seemingly weekly. Some topics are mostly U.S./North American based, while others are global in interest.  The information contained here is based on the best postings from the net on these subjects, and thanks are due to the netters who provided them. Information from international sources would be a welcome addition.   As with any newsgroup, it is best to read it for a few weeks before posting anything, in order to see what topics are currently being discussed.   Please keep in mind that air travel is subject to a complex set of rules, regulations, and agreements (official or unofficial) between governments, airlines, and ticket agencies.  Information transmitted over the net is not definitive.  Netters offer what they know with good intentions;  however, no guarantee is made the that information contained in this list is 100% correct.   Having said that, know then, that all information herein is offered AS IS with no implied warranty of accuracy whatsoever. Currently, the number of lists totals six.  Five are posted by Larry Autry article on "How to Get Cheap Airtickets" by Mark Kantrowitz The subjects of these five lists are as follows: I.   Intro and Answers to General Questions II.  Airport Codes For North America III. Airport Codes For The World IV.  Ticket Consolidator Article (Bucket Shops) V.   Article About How To Prevent Jetlag 1.  WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST FARE FROM X TO Y ON (DATE)?     Why ask the net?  A travel agent is the best contact for this type of inquiry.  He/she has access to a computer system that shows flights for most airlines and can give you fares and availability for various combinations. That’s their job!  Travel agents do not charge you a commission for giving you this information; they are paid by the airlines.  If you feel that a travel agent is not giving you complete information, try another agent.  If you feel that you could have gotten a better fare yourself, then do it yourself.  The variability of fares on a continuous basis is due to the airlines, not to travel agents.       This probably won’t make you feel better, but you will most likely NEVER KNOW what the cheapest available fare for your trip would have been.  There are just too many variables and changes in pricing.  You can only search until you find an acceptable deal.  Be aware, however, that if the price on your ticket (your specific airline, date and route) does go down, you can be refunded the difference in price.   1.a.  WHAT ABOUT DISCOUNTS FOR CHILDREN, SENIORS, BEREAVEMENT?  HOW ABOUT CANCELLATION OF NON-REFUNDABLE FARES FOR MEDICAL REASONS?     Policies really do vary from airline to airline.  Usually, children under 2 years old travel free if they sit on a parent’s lap.  Most flights aren’t full and so the parent can then use the seat next to them.  If the flight is full you really do have to hold the child on your lap, which can get tiresome on a long flight.  Over 2 years old you must buy a ticket, which may or may not be discounted.       Many airlines offer discounts for senior citizens in the form of coupon booklets, good for 4 or more one-way flights for a flat fee.  These may or may not be cheaper than buying deep discounted tickets, depending on the expected routes of travel and the airlines that fly those routes.  The coupons are generally good for one year from date of purchase.       Bereavement fares are often offered by airlines, on asking.  Sometimes they require proof of death, such as a copy of the death certificate or obituary. They aren’t usually as cheap as the advance-purchase discount fare, but are usually cheaper than the normal fare for a last-minute purchase.  The "new" pricing schemes supposedly eliminated a lot of discounts such as these, but not all airlines are following American’s lead, and you still might find an employee who will give you a discount.     Many airlines will refund a ticket for cancellation for legitimate medical reasons.  Often a doctor’s statement must be submitted.  Sometimes the ticket can be refunded even if the traveler isn’t affected; for example, if two people are traveling together and one cannot fly, both tickets may be cancelled. Cases are known where someone to be met at the destination couldn’t make it, so upon proof of that person’s medical problem, all travelers’ tickets were cancelled.  It never hurts to ask — several times, different people.  There are, however, no guarantees.     These are examples of situations where a good travel agent can be worth his/her weight in gold. 2.  WHAT OTHER OPTIONS EXIST FOR FINDING SCHEDULES AND FARES?     The Official Airline Guide (OAG) is published monthly and costs $75 to subscribe.  It can also be bought in bookstores (especially at airports) for $7.50 per copy.  It does not contain fare information.  Some people have noted that not all routes appear in the OAG.  Netters who have access to the OAG may or may not have the time or inclination to look things up for you.  Do not get incensed if no one replies to your inquiries.  Your local library may carry the OAG.     If you live near an airport you can pick up current schedules for each airline individually.  These are changed often, however, and not all airlines serve all airports.       You can contact EAASY-SABRE through the Prodigy, GEnie, or Compuserve on-line services.  Access to the reservation system does not itself cost anything, but there are subscription fees for each on-line service.  Again, some people have noted that they had better luck working with a travel agent than trying to make reservations themselves on-line.  There are NO completely free on-line sources of schedule or fare information.  Netters who subscribe to these services may or may not be interested in spending time and money to answer your question.      You can call each airline individually and inquire about the trip you are planning.  This may require 6 or 7 calls to get all the possible flights, but the service is free.  If you do not know the 800 number for a particular airline, call 800 directory information at 800-555-1212.  (There are local numbers available in many locations; check your telephone book.)  Here is a partial list of airline national reservation numbers.  The coverage areas may vary, but are mostly for North America only.  Many airlines have separate numbers for domestic or international reservations, and most offer TDD lines for the hearing impaired.  Directory information for 800 numbers can be reached at 800-555-1212.      Aeromexico      800-237-6639   (except Houston)      Air Canada      800-776-3000   (for most areas of the lower 48 states)      Alaska Air      800-426-0333   (also Puerto Rico, USVI and Canada)      America West    800-247-5692   (also Puerto Rico, USVI and Canada)      American        800-433-7300      Canadian Air    800-426-7000   (lower 48, Hawaii and Puerto Rico)      Continental     800-525-0280      Delta           800-221-1212      Northwest       800-225-2525      TWA             800-221-2000      United          800-241-6522      USAir           800-428-4322 3.  HOW DO I FIND A GOOD TRAVEL AGENT?     Ask your friends for recommendations.  Or, look in the phone book.  Choose one for convenient location, as it is preferable to visit the agent in person than to make lengthy inquiries over the phone.  Many agents will get to know you and record your preferences for seat selection, meals, etc. so that you do not have to remember to ask for these each time.       If you do not like the service you are receiving, try another agent.  Do not blame the travel agent for fare and schedule craziness — blame the airlines.  And please do not take up the travel agent’s time with lengthy inquiries, only to buy the ticket direct from the airline.  This does not benefit you in any way, and hurts the travel agent.  The job may seem glamorous, but there are so many agents that most do not make a fortune in their jobs (witness the sometimes shabby offices).   4.  WHAT ARE TICKET CONSOLIDATORS AND BUCKET SHOPS?     Ticket consolidators buy up blocks of unsold seats and sell them at a discount.  They are not the same as travel agents and these tickets will not usually be available through travel agents.  The tickets are usually on regularly scheduled airlines.  Many consolidators will not take credit cards, since their profit margins are presumably slim.  Most consolidators are located on the coasts.  If you buy a Sunday New York Times or San Francisco Chronicle you can probably find a few addresses in the travel section.  Providing addresses here is of limited use since shops can go out of business.  Asking people on the net for the names of shops they have dealt with personally is more reasonable.       There is a companion monthly posting on bucket shops that contains a detailed description of how consolidators and bucket shops work.  Read this before you buy your next international ticket. 5.  WHAT OTHER KINDS OF AIRLINE "GOOD DEALS" EXIST? Discount travel passes good within small regions: In general, passes must be purchased before departure, and usually in conjunc- tion with an international roundtrip ticket on the carrier … read more »

Response: