Learn About The Philadelphia International Airport Code (PHL)

  • September 11, 2024

  • William Cartwright

When you’re booking a flight or checking your itinerary, you’ll notice that every airport has a unique three-letter code. For Philadelphia International Airport, that code is PHL. But why PHL, and what does it stand for?

1. The Meaning Behind PHL

The airport code PHL stands for Philadelphia, with the first two letters, “PH”, representing the city’s name. The “L” was added to make the code unique, as other airport codes using “PH” were already taken.

2. Why Does the Airport Code Matter?

Here’s why knowing the PHL code is important for travelers:

  • Flight bookings: The PHL code is used for booking flights, so whenever you search for flights to or from Philadelphia, look for PHL.
  • Baggage: Your luggage will be tagged with the PHL code, which helps track it as it travels through different airports.
  • Flight status: On airport flight boards, PHL helps you quickly identify where you’re headed or which flights are coming to Philadelphia.

3. Where You’ll See PHL

  • Boarding passes
  • Luggage tags
  • Flight status boards
  • Booking confirmations

Conclusion: PHL – More Than Just a Code

Next time you see PHL on your boarding pass, you’ll know it stands for Philadelphia International Airport. Whether you’re flying domestically or internationally, this code simplifies your travel and ensures everything runs smoothly.