Question re flight numbers

[Una Due Tfc]

Originally Posted by El Bunto

Which wouldn't mean anything to ATC since the flightplan says KSEA

Well it does mean something to most of us in ATC as we do know the IATA codes, well most of them anyway, just from familiarity really as there's no requirement for us to know them. Also the airfield often has a VOR with the same 3 letter code, e.g. DUB (although that VOR isn't actually on the airfield).

The IATA and ICAO codes tend to be the same for North America anyway, CYUL, CYYZ, CYVR = YUL, YYZ, YVR. KJFK, KMIA, KLAX = JFK, MIA, LAX.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by El Bunto

I don't really know why IATA codes are still used for anything these days, what with 'controlled duplicates' and others that bear no resemblance to the airline or airport name. Just scrap them.

As far as airport codes are concerned, both the airlines and organisations like OAG and the GDSs have massive investments in IT systems for scheduling, reservations, timetabling, etc, all based on 3-letter IATA route designators. So those aren't about to disappear any time soon.

Strangely, those same systems have been able to copy with ICAO airline codes for many years, so continued use of 2-letter IATA airline codes is more of a mystery.

As for obscure airport codes, there are plenty of those still in use whose origins are lost in the mists of time: KORD, KMCO. KMSY, etc ...

[Sultan Ismail]

The Mists of Time

KORD Chicago O'Hare derives from the original airfield in "Orchard Place"

KMCO Orlando International Airport derives from the Cold War McCoy Air Force Base

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by Sultan Ismail

KORD Chicago O'Hare derives from the original airfield in "Orchard Place"

KMCO Orlando International Airport derives from the Cold War McCoy Air Force Base

Yes, and KMSY derives from Moissant Field

When I said "lost in the mists of time", I didn't mean literally.