Airline ICAO Codes API

Identify airlines from the three-letter ICAO codes in your aviation data. Retrieve airline names and corresponding IATA codes, or download the directory to match records within your own application.

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  • Lookup by code or name
  • JSON, XML and CSV
  • Individual records or bulk export

Look up an airline by ICAO code

Send a three-letter airline code in the icao parameter of the Airlines API. This example looks up Southwest Airlines using SWA. Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your assigned key.

Request · cURL

curl --get 'https://content.airhex.com/api/v3.7.10/airlines/' \
  --data-urlencode 'apikey=YOUR_API_KEY' \
  --data-urlencode 'icao=SWA'

Response · JSON excerpt

[
  {
    "iata": "WN",
    "icao": "SWA",
    "marketing_name": "Southwest Airlines",
    ...
  }
]

Abbreviated response. The ellipsis (…) represents additional airline fields omitted here and is not part of the actual JSON response.

View the full Airline Database API reference →

Request parameters

Use these query parameters to look up airline codes or export the directory.

ParameterRequiredDefaultDescription
apikey YesNoneYour assigned API key. Get a free test API key.
iata ConditionalNoneLook up an airline by its two-character IATA code, such as WN.
icao ConditionalNoneLook up an airline by its three-letter ICAO code, such as SWA.
name ConditionalNoneFind airline codes by airline name or partial name.
dump Conditional0Set to 1 to export the complete dataset, subject to the onlyscheduled filter.
response_type NoJSONResponse format: JSON, XML or CSV. CSV triggers a file download.
onlyscheduled No1Set to 1 for scheduled airlines only, or 0 for all airline types.

Provide at least one of iata, icao, name, or dump=1. Setting dump=1 overrides the other lookup parameters.

View all request parameters →

Available data

Use icao to identify an airline and iata to map it to booking-system data when an IATA code is available. The selected fields below follow the order in the parent API reference.

FieldTypeExampleDescription
airhex_id Identifier1046Permanent Airhex record identifier. Use it to associate future updates with the same record.
iata StringWNTwo-character IATA airline designator. Codes can contain letters and digits; store them as text.
icao StringSWAThree-letter ICAO airline designator, useful for mapping between code systems.
marketing_name StringSouthwest AirlinesCommonly used airline name for display in your application.
status Integer1Operational status: 1 = active, 0 = defunct, 2 = start-up.

View all available data →

Common implementation tasks

Download the airline code directory

Use dump=1 to export the database. Add onlyscheduled=0 to include all airline types instead of the default scheduled-airline filter. This CSV example can be imported into your own database; retain records with a populated icao field when building an ICAO lookup. Inspect type_code if you need to exclude other carrier types, such as rail, bus and ferry records.

curl --get 'https://content.airhex.com/api/v3.7.10/airlines/' \
  --data-urlencode 'apikey=YOUR_API_KEY' \
  --data-urlencode 'dump=1' \
  --data-urlencode 'onlyscheduled=0' \
  --data-urlencode 'response_type=CSV' \
  --output airlines.csv

Find an ICAO code from an airline name

Search with name, then read icao from each returned record. Name searches support partial matching, so review the returned airline identities rather than assuming the first result is the only match.

curl --get 'https://content.airhex.com/api/v3.7.10/airlines/' \
  --data-urlencode 'apikey=YOUR_API_KEY' \
  --data-urlencode 'name=Southwest'

Map an IATA code to an ICAO code

Pass the IATA designator in iata and read the returned icao field. For example, use WN from a booking supplier to find SWA for matching against an aviation dataset.

curl --get 'https://content.airhex.com/api/v3.7.10/airlines/' \
  --data-urlencode 'apikey=YOUR_API_KEY' \
  --data-urlencode 'iata=WN'

What you can build

Aviation data enrichment

Turn ICAO airline codes from an aviation dataset into readable airline names for dashboards and reports.

Connect booking and aviation data

Map IATA identifiers from booking suppliers to ICAO identifiers in other sources, checking that both records refer to the intended carrier.

Operator directories

Build a local airline lookup for scheduled, cargo or charter operators, with explicit type and operational-status filters.

Frequently asked questions

What is an ICAO airline code?

It is a three-letter airline designator, such as SWA for Southwest Airlines. This page covers airline identifiers; use the Airports API for airport identifiers.

How do ICAO airline codes differ from IATA codes?

ICAO airline designators have three letters, while IATA airline designators have two characters and can include digits. The Airlines API provides both fields where available. Use the parameter that matches the code system supplied by your data source. Send ICAO codes in icao and IATA codes in iata.

Can I convert between ICAO and IATA airline codes?

Look up an ICAO code with icao and read iata from the result, or look up an IATA code with iata and read icao. Check that the destination field is populated before using the mapping; do not assume every record has both codes. Keep the ICAO code and airline identity available even when an IATA mapping is missing.

Can I look up cargo and charter operators?

Set onlyscheduled=0 to include airline types beyond the default scheduled-airline filter. Inspect type_code to select the operator categories you need, and status if your application should include only active airlines. The default onlyscheduled=1 selects scheduled airlines.

Does parent_icao identify the operating carrier of a flight?

No. The parent reference defines parent_icao as the ICAO code of a parent airline, where applicable. To identify the operating carrier of a specific flight, use the carrier identifier provided by your flight supplier and look up that carrier separately.

How should I handle an unresolved lookup?

Keep the original source code as a fallback when you cannot resolve an airline, and handle request failures separately from missing matches. For partial name searches, compare returned names and codes before selecting a record.

Can I keep an ICAO airline directory in my own database?

Yes, with an appropriate Airline Database license. Export with dump=1 in JSON, XML or CSV, then retain the fields your integration needs. Store airhex_id with the code mappings and refresh your copy periodically. Airhex reviews and updates airline data daily; the Updates API provides a recent change log. Retain the updated timestamp from the full response when refreshing records.

Does this endpoint provide live flight tracking or flight status?

No. It supplies airline reference data for identifying carriers and mapping codes. Obtain live flight information from your flight-data provider. The returned status field describes the airline’s operational status, not an individual flight.

Build your ICAO airline lookup

Match airline identities across aviation data sources and keep carrier names consistent in your dashboards, reports and passenger-facing tools.

Get test API keyGet a quote →

Airline Database API →

Explore the complete airline dataset, including IATA and ICAO codes, names, operational status, carrier types, alliances, frequent flyer programs, check-in and baggage policy links, logos and brand colors. View all request parameters and response fields, with individual lookups and bulk exports in JSON, XML and CSV.

Airline Alliance API →

Look up airline alliance membership by IATA code, ICAO code or name. Build alliance filters and group airlines in your travel application with Airhex.

Airline Baggage Policy API →

Retrieve airline baggage policy links by IATA code, ICAO code or airline name. Add official baggage information to booking flows and itineraries with Airhex.

Airline Brand Colors API →

Retrieve airline brand colors as hex and RGB values by IATA code, ICAO code or name. Add airline color accents to travel interfaces with the Airhex API.

Airline Frequent Flyer Programs API →

Look up airline frequent flyer program names by IATA code, ICAO code or airline name. Build loyalty program directories and enrich airline profiles with Airhex.

Airline IATA Codes API →

Look up airline IATA codes, match codes to airline names and ICAO codes, or export the airline coding directory with the Airhex API.

Airline Metadata API →

Retrieve low-cost carrier flags and airline types, including scheduled, charter, cargo and ACMI. Look up airline metadata by code or name with Airhex.

Airline Online Check-in API →

Retrieve airline online check-in links by IATA code, ICAO code or name. Add online check-in links to itineraries and pre-trip messages with Airhex.

Airline Status API →

Look up airline operational status: active, defunct or start-up. Retrieve status by airline code or name and filter your local airline directory with Airhex.