ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

IATA airline code

Have you ever seen letters on your plane ticket that look like "DL" or "AA"? These letters are called IATA airline codes. They are like secret words that help airlines and airports know which airline you are flying with.

Just like how you have a name, every airline has a name too. But instead of using their full name, they use these 2-3 letter codes to make it quicker and easier for everyone. For example, "DL" is the code for Delta Airlines and "AA" is the code for American Airlines.

These codes are important because they help make sure you are flying to the right place and help the people who work at the airport know which airline you are flying with. So next time you see some strange letters on your plane ticket, don't worry - they are just special codes that make travel a little bit easier!