# Why is the Los Angeles Airport called LAX? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 28, 2005, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529 "2005-07-28T04:18:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/21 "2005-07-28T15:14:51Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The fun one is why Chicago-O’Hare is ORD. 😃 [Ask the Perfect Master](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_384.html). ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/22 "2005-07-28T15:31:10Z")
Once in a while, the three-letter designator is exactly what you think it should be. Oslo International Airport Gardermoen is OSL - not only logical and easy to remember, but the source of a rather [cool logo](http://www.osl.no/styles/internettoslno/images/osl_logo.gif)🆒 But mostly, making the designator unique will take precedence over making it understandable or obvious. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/23 "2005-07-28T15:44:31Z")
> [@David Simmons](#): > > And Sioux City Iowa is SOY. Go figure. I thought it was SUX? I know some people were wanting to change it (for obvious reasons), but SOY seems to be taken already (Stronsay, UK). Why do I have a feeling I just got whooshed? ---
**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 28, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/24 "2005-07-28T15:45:52Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > I thought it was SUX? Fresno is FAT. ---
**Author:** ![PBear42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PBear42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PBear42)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/25 "2005-07-28T15:56:37Z")
[aside] FWIW, the playground, which is where he played baseball as a kid, ultimately was named for Joltin’ Joe. IIRC, one of his brothers overruled the lawyer. In any event, there’s now a sign on the playground. [/aside] ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/26 "2005-07-28T16:07:57Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Naming can be a real p.i.a. Firs,t as **Edward the Head** pointed out, there’s the expense and hassle of changing a name. As a lot of individuals, businesses, and governmental agencies (including the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority) found out when Washington National Airport’s name was changed to Ronald Reagan National Airport. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/27 "2005-07-28T16:08:12Z")
As far as airport renaming, I wouldn’t think it would be so complicated. In Cleveland, for instance, the main airport is called Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The three-letter designator is just CLE, no reference to Hopkins, and most of the signs on the freeway, busses, etc. just say “Airport”. None of that would have to be changed if they renamed it. It might take a while for people to start using the new name, but then, when folks are talking about it, they usually just say “the airport” anyway. The only time anyone ever refers to it as “Hopkins” is when distinguishing it from Burke Lakefront, the second-largest airport in Cleveland (mostly just general aviation). ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/28 "2005-07-28T16:18:15Z")
Why is Port Columbus airport in Columbus, Ohio, designated “CMH”? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/29 "2005-07-28T16:32:42Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > BNA - Barnes Nashville Airport Actually, it’s _ **B** erry Field, **Na** shville_ ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/30 "2005-07-28T16:36:30Z")
> [@Idle Thoughts](#): > > Why is the Los Angeles Airport called LAX? Have you seen the quality of their security? ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/31 "2005-07-28T16:41:44Z")
I think CMH = **C** olumbus **M** unicipal **H** angar. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/32 "2005-07-28T16:52:48Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > CVG - Cincinnati, nearest city is Covington, KY (CIN is a small field in Iowa, don’t know why) I would presume that CIN in Iowa is near Cincinnati, Iowa. When I used to book flights to Cincinnati on Travelocity it would always ask if I wanted Ohio or Iowa. The “old” airport in Cincinnati proper is Lunken Field, but it was not expanded for bigger flights because there is little/no room and it’s prone to flooding. I imagine that CVG was then used. Covington is not as close to the airport as some other towns in Kentucky, like Erlanger, but I guess CVG is nice since most people assume the C is for Cincinnati. ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/33 "2005-07-28T17:00:45Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The standard list of major US airports with nonobvious codes: > **SWF - Fort Myers, South West Florida** Actually, the code for Southwest Florida International Airport is RSW, which is probably for the airport’s original name, Southwest Florida Regional Airport. Page Field, the main airport for Fort Myers before RSW was built in 1983, has the code FMY. Just FYI. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/34 "2005-07-28T18:36:44Z")
The code for Albuquerque is ABQ because the code for Albany is ALB. Guess where our bags often end up if we don’t keep an eye on the the clerk who tags the luggage? ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/35 "2005-07-28T18:40:42Z")
Even more confusing in Kansas City is that no one in town calls it MCI, they call it KCI (for Kansas City International) but that’s not its name. ---
**Author:** ![SpartanDC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@SpartanDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpartanDC)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/36 "2005-07-28T19:10:25Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > As far as airport renaming, I wouldn’t think it would be so complicated. In Cleveland, for instance, the main airport is called Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The three-letter designator is just CLE, no reference to Hopkins, and most of the signs on the freeway, busses, etc. just say “Airport”. None of that would have to be changed if they renamed it. It might take a while for people to start using the new name, but then, when folks are talking about it, they usually just say “the airport” anyway. The only time anyone ever refers to it as “Hopkins” is when distinguishing it from Burke Lakefront, the second-largest airport in Cleveland (mostly just general aviation). Except that wouldn’t work in cities like Washington, which has three airports (Dulles, Reagan National, Baltimore-Washington International), or New York (LaGuardia, JFK, Newark). The renaming of National Airport was a big deal, partially, because Congress mandated the change, yet provided no money to do so. Given that unfunded mandates pretty much go against the central tenets of the Republican Party, the irony was delicious. Not to mention that Reagan wouldn’t have liked the airport being named after him before he died (his mind was already gone when the name change was ordered). I, myself, didn’t start calling it Reagan until after his death. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/37 "2005-07-28T19:57:16Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > I would presume that CIN in Iowa is near Cincinnati, Iowa. CIN is the identifier for the[Carroll, IA](http://www.city-data.com/city/Carroll-Iowa.html) airport. Cinncinnati in Iowa is a town in the sourthest corner along the Missouri border. It must have a population of under 500 because the Rand-McNally road atlas doesn’t list it. ---
**Author:** ![Omphaloskeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bcef8e/32.png) [@Omphaloskeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omphaloskeptic)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/38 "2005-07-28T20:27:30Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > > [@Idle Thoughts](#): > > > > Why is the Los Angeles Airport called LAX? > > Have you seen the quality of their security? I once saw an ambulance near LAX labeled “LAX EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM” (or something like that; I don’t remember the exact phrase). Truth in advertising! ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/39 "2005-07-28T21:22:59Z")
> [@Omphaloskeptic](#): > > I once saw an ambulance near LAX labeled “LAX EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM” (or something like that; I don’t remember the exact phrase). Truth in advertising! They’re the ones who say, “Do they really need first aid? Wouldn’t second or third aid be enough?” ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529/40 "2005-07-28T21:41:28Z")
> [@FilmGeek](#): > > Even more confusing in Kansas City is that no one in town calls it MCI, they call it KCI (for Kansas City International) but that’s not its name. Ahh… but KCI used to be called “Mid-Continent International Airport.” The name change to Kansas City International Airport didn’t come until 1972. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-los-angeles-airport-called-lax/314529.md?page=3)