# Why is it called LAX? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 21, 2002, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123 "2002-07-21T20:16:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/41 "2002-07-22T17:12:26Z")
One of my faves… OGG = Maui E3 ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/42 "2002-07-22T17:28:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zyada \* > \*\* I know my airport (DFW) and Houston Intercontinental (HOU) are both international airports, and surely either JFK or LaGuardia (LGA) (or both) are international. \*\* [ul][li] **HOU** is Hobby Field which is not Houston’s International Airport (it is the old airport that Southwest dominates).[/li] **IAH** is the International Airport in Houston. It is Continentials home base.[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/43 "2002-07-22T17:32:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zyada \* > \*\*BTW, my mom worked in reservations for AA for years. She told me that the code for Nashville is BNA. There was some good reason but her co-workers called it “Banana” airport. \*\* Nashville International used to be named Berry Field. BNA is short for Berry-NAshville. I think it changed in the late eighties when they got international service. There is a good article on airport codes [here.](http://www.skygod.com/asstd/abc.html) The names of fixes are more interesting, I think. For instance, flying an approach to Pease International the fixes are ITAWT - ITAWA - PUDYE - TTATT. The missed approach point is IDEED. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/44 "2002-07-22T17:56:27Z")
\ How many codes are possible with three letters? \ ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/45 "2002-07-22T18:18:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zyada \* > \*\*Cranky, you’re right about the Canadian airports, they tend to start with ‘Y’. Mom also mentioned that. (I think I’ve heard that they stopped that as they were running out of usable airport codes for Canada) YVR - Vancouver > \*\* Actually, IIRC, Canadian airports actually all begin with a C but it is dropped for the most part as it is taken for granted. IE - Vancouver - CYVR Edmonton - CYEG Grande Prairie - CYQU Calgary - CYYC ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/46 "2002-07-22T18:43:44Z")
**Bernes** , are you not thinking of [radio callsigns](http://www.qsl.net/yb0emj/itucalls.html). I see Canada is limited to CFA-CKZ. “\ How many codes are possible with three letters? \”-\> 26X26X26=17576, but they can also use numbers so 36X36X36=46656. This ignores any specifications that might exist, such as no number for 1st spot or no zeros. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/47 "2002-07-22T18:49:41Z")
**Bernes** , are you not thinking of [radio callsigns](http://www.qsl.net/yb0emj/itucalls.html). I see Canada is limited to CFA-CKZ. “\ How many codes are possible with three letters? \”-\> 26X26X26=17576, but they can also use numbers so 36X36X36=46656. This ignores any specifications that might exist, such as no zeros allowed. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/48 "2002-07-22T18:59:19Z")
In once had a flight out of New Bern, NC (EWN), and when I got the ticket, it was for a flight of of Newark, NJ (EWR). I scrambled to get it fixed (thanks for the screw up, SATO), but my return flight back to New Bern turned out to be about 14 hours after I had wanted it. I slept all over Miami International when it was in the midst of construction overhaul (which scerwed it up REALLY bad for pedestrians). ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/49 "2002-07-22T19:06:49Z")
I don’t think so. I think if follows the same logic in that the US airports begin with the “K” prefix. Johnny LA should know the scoop on that. Why is the K prefrix for the US dropped so often? I just did a quick google search on CYVR and got a whole lot of airport hits for Vancouver. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/50 "2002-07-22T21:41:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by screech-owl \* > \*\* > > Two and a half (sort of): > > 1. Orlando International Airport - southeast of Orlando, just off Rte 528/Beeline and Rte 417/Greeneway – the big one, multi-terminals, and adding on another terminal within the next few years (although I think this is on hold for awhile, til the local economy picks back up). Large passenger and cargo jets, domestic and international flights > > 2. Orlando Executive Airport, just east of downtown on Rte. 50/Colonial Drive (within a major mall and strip mall area). Primarily private and charter jets (lots of puddle jumpers). > > 3. Sanford-Orlando International Airport - about 45 minutes north of Orlando and a goodly ways from any of the tourist attractions. An attempt by the town of Sanford to wrest international flights from OIA (#1 above). > > Either #2 (for size) or #3 (for location) could be considered the “half”. \*\* Where does Kissimmee (ISM) fit into all of this (if at all)? Is it primarily used by private pilots and Kissimmee residents flying home? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/51 "2002-07-22T21:56:52Z")
> [@](#): > > Johnny LA should know the scoop on that. Why is the K prefrix for the US dropped so often? I never knew there was supposed to be a “K” prefix. I’ve always just heard the three-letter identifiers. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/52 "2002-07-22T22:09:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Joey G \* > \*\* > There is a good article on airport codes [here.](http://www.skygod.com/asstd/abc.html) > > \*\* The answer to the question posed in the OP is in the article linked by Joey G When flying was new, the weather service used a two letter code for cities. Airlines started to copy this when air service started. Codes were needed however for cities without a weather station. Somebody got the bright idea to go to a 3 letter indenifier. > [@](#): > > To ease the transition, existing airports placed an X after the weather station code. The Los Angeles tag became LAX. seems to answer the question ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/53 "2002-07-22T22:11:45Z")
Well, I did a bit of snooping and here is what I came up with (I’m still at work so I can’t spend a ton of time on this) From the National Weather Service: > [@](#): > > The listings provided on the home page give you the city/state, airport name (if available), old 3-character identifier, new 3-letter identifier, and new 4-letter International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) identifier. Please note that for identifier changes in the conterminous 48 states, the ICAO identifier merely prefixes a “K” in front of the new 3-letter site identifier. For Alaska sites, a “PA” is prefixed which means that one of the 3 letters of the site identifier is truncated. Hawaii sites will have a prefix of “PH” added and Guam will have a prefix of “PG” added. Like the Alaska sites, the Hawaii “PH” or Guam “PG” prefixes will mean one of the 3-letters in the identifier may have been truncated. And from the Garmin GPS FAQ (I know, I know… at least it kind of addresses it though) > [@](#): > > Q. Why can’t I enter some of my Airport identifiers in my aviation GPS unit? > > A. The database uses the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) identifiers for airport names. Under the ICAO convention, all airports within the continental United States that utilize all letter identifiers (i.e., LAX) will be preceded with the letter K. For example LAX, STL, MCI would all be entered in the unit for the airport locations as KLAX, KSTL,KMCI. Any airports that use a numbering system such as 51K, H34, 7M5 would not have the K prefix and would be entered as the simple three character identifier (51K, H34, 7M5). So, it appears to be some ICAO rule. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/54 "2002-07-22T22:22:02Z")
The article that I linked above (from Joey G’s post) also 'splains the K. It’s used on international flights. ---
**Author:** ![Kepi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kepi/32/7251_2.png) [@Kepi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kepi)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/55 "2002-07-22T22:42:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guy Propski \* > \*\*Zyada–actually, Oveta Culp Hobby Airport in Houston is HOU; George Bush Internatioal Airport (aka Houston Intercontinental) is IAH. \*\* Just a nitpick, but HOU is for **William P. Hobby** Airport. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2002, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/56 "2002-07-23T11:58:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rastahomie \* > \*\*…Where does Kissimmee (ISM) fit into all of this (if at all)? Is it primarily used by private pilots and Kissimmee residents flying home? \*\* Yup. Pretty much private pilots and a pretty good air show once a year. I believe the Warbirds Air Museum ‘next door’ (about a mile west) has its own airstrip, as occasionally I’ll have a vintage bomber flying over the house. A little unsettling the first time I ever saw it, but actually kind of reassuring in an odd way now. Mmmm, not too many Kissimmee residents use private airplanes, if my neighborhood is any indication. There is also a relatively small airport on the far west side of Orange County, again for private planes (we’re talking residents of MetroWest, Islesworth [Orlando home of Shaq, and the like], and similar neighborhoods). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2002, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/57 "2002-07-23T12:16:56Z")
Was there ever a Kissimmee ARSA? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2002, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/58 "2002-07-23T15:32:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > **Was there ever a Kissimmee ARSA?** Change the last letter to an ‘E’ and you can easily describe some of my neighbors (in more ways than one)… But ARSA? Whazzat? Is that a joke in plane sight? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2002, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/59 "2002-07-23T16:43:16Z")
> [@](#): > > But ARSA? Whazzat? Is that a joke in plane sight? ARSA was “Airport Radar Service Area”. They were intended to increase safety around medium-sized airports. The acronym “ARSA” is no longer used. Nowadays that airspace would be called “Class C”. (FWIW, "TCA"s – “Terminal Control Areas” – are now Class B. Airport Traffic Areas, which are around tower-controlled airports, are Class D. Class E is “everything else”. I don’t fly high enough for Class A airspace.) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/60 "2002-07-24T10:34:00Z")
Actually, Johnny, there are still a _few_ ARSA’s around, although I think they call 'em TRSA’s now (terminal radar service areas). There’s one up here in north east Indiana. From the pilot’s viewpoint, they might as well be Class C since the differences are pretty picky. Instead of a magenta or blue ring around the airport they have a dark grey ring. Not too common, and I have no idea why they weren’t converted to Class C. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123.md?page=4)