Oops! Don’t Make This Common Airport Code Blunder When Booking Flights

Oops! Don't Make This Common Airport Code Blunder When Booking Flights - Avoiding Booking Blunders by Double-Checking Airport Codes

When booking flights, it's crucial to double-check the airport codes to avoid common booking blunders. Airport codes consist of three letters that represent a specific airport, and they can sometimes be confusingly similar, leading to costly mistakes.

One common mix-up is between LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) and LAS (McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas). While these airports are on opposite sides of the country, it's easy to accidentally book a flight to the wrong one, especially if you're in a hurry or distracted. Another potential pitfall is confusing JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York) and JAN (Jackson–Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport in Mississippi). These codes may look similar at a glance, but they represent airports hundreds of miles apart.
It's not just major hubs that can trip people up - smaller regional airports can also cause confusion. EWR (Newark Liberty International Airport) and ETR (Entrance Township Airport) may seem worlds apart, but booking the wrong one could ruin your travel plans. Similarly, BOS (Boston Logan International Airport) and BDL (Bradley International Airport in Connecticut) may seem distinct, but a mix-up could leave you stranded at the wrong terminal.
To avoid these booking blunders, always double-check the airport codes, especially if you're flying to a destination you haven't visited before. Take an extra moment to verify that the codes match your intended travel plans. This simple step can save you from a costly - and frustrating - mistake down the line.
Additionally, be aware of airports with similar-sounding names. For example, London has multiple major airports - Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), and Luton (LTN) - and it's easy to mix them up, especially if you're not familiar with the area. The same goes for New York, which has JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), and Newark (EWR) all within close proximity.