Airfields
Not every aircraft can use every airport. The route manager shows what each airfield takes, and the market what each aircraft can’t use.
Airport codes
Airports have two codes. The three-letter IATA code, such as LHR, is the one
timetables, tickets, bag tags and movement messages use, and the one Flight Dispatch shows for
flights, routes, the Schedule, slots, messages and the fleet. The four-letter ICAO code, such
as EGLL, is the one flight plans, air traffic control and weather reports use; its first one
or two letters give the country or region: EG the United Kingdom, LF France,
ED Germany, K the United States. An airfield with no IATA code goes by
its ICAO code. Where there’s room, both are shown, IATA first: LHR/EGLL.
Type either code into any airport field or command. When you leave the field, it shows the airport’s IATA code. After four letters a field moves on by itself; after three, press Tab.
View ▸ Visual Airport Codes Guide underlines codes in the programs; point at one for the airport’s name and both its codes. In the market’s filters and when opening a route, press / in a code field to find an airport by name, code, country and size. Find… does the same for the home base of a new airline.
Aerodrome reference code
A letter from A to F for the size of aircraft, by wingspan:
- A: under 15 m
- B: under 24 m
- C: under 36 m
- D: under 52 m
- E: under 65 m
- F: under 80 m
An airfield takes aircraft up to its letter: one that takes up to code C can’t take a code D aircraft. The facts about each type (I in the fleet or the market) give its letter.
Runway
Each aircraft type needs a length of runway to take off and land; an airfield’s longest runway must be at least that long.
Steep approach
Some airports need a steeper glide path than usual over the buildings around them. Only aircraft certified for a steep approach at that angle or steeper can land there.