ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

International Air Transport Association airport code

Alright, kiddo, let's talk about airport codes. You know how each place has a name like your school or your house? Well, airports also have names, but they also have special codes to help people identify them quickly and easily.

The codes that airports use are called IATA codes, which stands for the International Air Transport Association. The IATA is like a big group of airlines from all over the world that work together to make sure things run smoothly when people fly.

Now, these codes might look like just three letters, like JFK for John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, or LAX for Los Angeles International Airport, but they actually have a lot of meaning behind them.

The first letter of each code is usually the first letter of the city or airport name. For example, MCO is the code for Orlando International Airport, and the "M" stands for "Orlando" or "MCO" for "McCoy," which the airport used to be called.

The second letter gives more information about the airport. It can help identify which state or country the airport is located in. So, for example, BOS is the code for Boston Logan International Airport, and the "O" represents it's in Massachusetts.

The third letter is usually just an extra letter to make sure each airport code is unique. This means that no two airports will have the same three-letter code. So, if you hear someone talking about YYZ, know that it's the code for Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada!

So, that's a quick lesson on airport codes, little one. Next time you're at the airport, see if you can spot any of these special letters on the signs and boards!