Is record locator the same as flight number?

Record Locator vs. Flight Number: What’s the Difference?

Booking a flight can feel like navigating a maze of codes and numbers. Amidst the confirmation emails and booking websites, two terms frequently appear: the record locator and the flight number. While both are essential for your journey, they represent completely different pieces of information. Understanding the distinction is key to a smooth travel experience.

Your flight booking confirmation, regardless of what it’s called—record locator, confirmation number, booking reference, or PNR (Passenger Name Record)—is a unique alphanumeric code assigned by the airline or booking agency. This code acts as a key to access your reservation details. It’s your identifier, linking you to your specific booking within the airline’s system. Think of it as your personal ticket index number. It’s what you’ll use to check in online, manage your booking, or retrieve your itinerary.

Conversely, the flight number is a unique identifier for a specific flight. It’s the number assigned by the airline to a particular scheduled departure and arrival between two airports. For example, AA123 might represent American Airlines flight 123 from New York to Los Angeles. This number remains constant for that particular flight, regardless of who books it. It’s the flight’s identifier, not yours.

To illustrate the difference: Imagine you booked a flight to Paris. You might have a record locator like “XYZ12345,” which is unique to your booking. However, you might be flying on Air France flight AF456, where AF456 is the flight number, identifying the specific aircraft and route. Many individuals might share the same flight number (AF456) but will all have their own unique record locators.

Therefore, while both are necessary for your travel, they serve distinct purposes:

• Record Locator/Confirmation Number: Identifies your booking with the airline.
• Flight Number: Identifies the specific flight you’re taking.

Confusing the two can lead to unnecessary delays or complications. Always ensure you have both your record locator and your flight number readily available when checking in or contacting the airline. Knowing the difference between these two critical identifiers ensures a smoother and less stressful travel experience.

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