Fun Facts Behind LHR, LAX, and JFK
Next time you check in at LHR or LAX, take a moment: those three little letters carry the whole world on their shoulders.
Why Airports Have Codes?
Airport codes, officially known as IATA codes, were born in the 1930s, when two-letter radio call signs just couldn’t keep up with the boom in international air travel. Enter the three-letter system, a clever way to make sure every airport had its own unique stamp on the global map.
How the Magic for International Air Travel Works
Most codes reflect the city or airport name: LHR for London Heathrow, LAX for Los Angeles, JFK for New York’s John F. Kennedy.
Some are quirky relics of history. Chicago O’Hare’s code ORD harks back to its original name, Orchard Field.
And while IATA runs the three-letter show, aviation geeks know there’s also a four-letter ICAO system. Heathrow’s is EGLL, built mainly for air traffic control.
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Fun Facts from The Travel Pass Blog Departure Lounge
Heathrow’s letters honour the tiny hamlet of Heath Row, demolished to build the airport.
Codes scale effortlessly as new airports pop up, ensuring your bag bound for Alicante (ALC) doesn’t end up in Alaska.
Some codes feel like inside jokes. Anyone flown through Sioux City, Iowa? Its code: SUX.
Air Traffic Control Trivia
The King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia currently holds the title for the world's tallest free-standing air traffic control tower at 136 meters (446 feet). This impressive structure was completed in 2014 and handles over 250,000 aircraft movements annually. The tower was originally planned to be 130 meters tall, but Saudi authorities mandated it be increased to claim the world record.
Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport is unique in having two towers among the world's tallest. The West Tower, completed in 2013, stands at 133.8 meters (439 feet) and serves Terminal 2 and Runway 3 with 33 floors and a rooftop radar installation. The older East Tower, built in 1998, measures 130 meters (426 feet) and is nicknamed "The Slim Lady" due to its Olympic torch-inspired design.
Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand rounds out the top three at 132.2 meters (434 feet). This tower, completed in 2005, provides controllers with 360-degree views over the airport's 32.4 square kilometre area and was constructed with an $18 million investment.
Why It Matters
It’s not just trivia for flight nerds. These codes make global aviation tick, eliminating language barriers and keeping millions of flights, bags, and passengers moving without a hitch.
What are Top 10 Most Interesting Airport Codes?
1. SUX – Sioux City, Iowa (USA)
Once seen as embarrassing, Sioux City embraced SUX and now sells it proudly on merch.
2. ORD – Chicago O’Hare (USA)
Comes from “Orchard Field,” the site’s original name before being renamed after WWII hero Edward O’Hare.
3. YYZ – Toronto Pearson (Canada)
Canadian codes often start with “Y.” This one was random, but became famous thanks to Rush’s instrumental track YYZ.
4. FUN – Funafuti International (Tuvalu)
Tiny island nation, big sense of humour, who doesn’t want a boarding pass marked “FUN”?
5. EWR – Newark Liberty (USA)
Why not NEW? Because three-letter codes avoid duplication with other systems, so Newark settled for EWR.
6. DAD – Da Nang International (Vietnam)
Vietnam’s coastal city airport has one of the friendliest codes around.
7. HKG – Hong Kong International (China)
Simple and sleek, often mistaken as “HKI.” It reflects the city’s global brand recognition.
8. GIG – Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (Brazil)
Named for a nearby beach, but the code “GIG” matches Rio’s party spirit perfectly.
9. FUK – Fukuoka Airport (Japan)
Always raises eyebrows in English, but it’s just a shortened version of the city’s name.
10. ANC – Anchorage International (USA)
A nod to Alaska’s strategic importance, historically a refuelling stop for flights between Asia and North America.
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So… where’s your next boarding pass taking you? LAX, JFK, or somewhere more offbeat like SUX?