Understanding flight codes
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: n/a
Posts: 7
Understanding flight codes
Understanding Emirates flights codes
Hi guys
New poster here - just getting familiar with the terminology. Am expecting to be flying from the UK to Australia via Dubai and Bali regularly over the next few years and want understand the mindfield of frequent flyer programs and choose the best path for myself and my family.
Can someone explain how the code letters mentioned frequently throughout this forum work? Is there a webpage that explains it in simple English? i.e. I see people mentioning "I flew J to Sydney and flew Y to Dubai" etc.
Thanks in advance.
Hi guys
New poster here - just getting familiar with the terminology. Am expecting to be flying from the UK to Australia via Dubai and Bali regularly over the next few years and want understand the mindfield of frequent flyer programs and choose the best path for myself and my family.
Can someone explain how the code letters mentioned frequently throughout this forum work? Is there a webpage that explains it in simple English? i.e. I see people mentioning "I flew J to Sydney and flew Y to Dubai" etc.
Thanks in advance.
#2



Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Prince Edward Island
Programs: Air Canada 25K, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, MGM Gold
Posts: 1,604
Yep - there's a glossary here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/glossary.php
#3
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: flyover country
Posts: 2,857
Perhaps I need a lesson in how to use the Glossary. When I look up B, F, J, or Y, I find nothing useful.
To repeat antpugh's question, is there a resource that provides meaningful information? Even a list that shows the relative order would provide some information.
Booking class - use varies depending upon airline
#4




Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; Hilton Dia; Marriott Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 8,522
As noted above, booking fare codes vary by airline. Booking classes: F = first, J/C = business, Y = coach.
#5




Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,437
Long answer: Booking class codes are specific to every airline. Class "A" can be the cheapest economy or the most expensive First ticket. Generally excepted around here is that "F" refers to First, "C" or "J" to Business and "Y" to economy (subsequently "Y+" is Premium economy).
#6
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: flyover country
Posts: 2,857
Thank you, WorldLux and Adam1222. I suppose if there was a table with airlines on one axis and ordered class codes on the other axis, someone would have mentioned it. It seems like a good project for someone...else.
#7




Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; Hilton Dia; Marriott Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 8,522
You can also google Fare Code and insert the name of an airline.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: BAEC, IB+, TAM multi+
Posts: 453
Generally Y is economy, J or C is business and F is first. All the other codes vary from airline to airline so it's really not much use having a glossary for it.
Economy plus is sometimes denoted by Y+ here on this forum, while others may occasionally use W for economy plus.
Economy plus is sometimes denoted by Y+ here on this forum, while others may occasionally use W for economy plus.
#9
Moderator, Hilton Honors



Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,446
One reason there isn't such a table is airlines frequently revise the codes they use (in terms of which cabin they represent and the ordering).
#10




Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; Hilton Dia; Marriott Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 8,522
To clarify and hopefully sort through the confusion here, airlines do not frequently change what *cabin* F, J/C, and Y, refer to. They change fare codes, which are different. For example a T fare can be a deep discount economy, that can be changed to Q. Flyertalkers typically only use these letters when talking about mileage accrual or upgrade priority. Most people would refer to flying on either fare as "flying in Y"
The F/J/Y distinction that people are repeatedly posting does not change.
#11




Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,293
Here are the Emirates booking codes --
Coach (least to most expensive) - X T L Q K U B M W R E O Y
Business - I C J
First Class - A F
The letter will be the first letter of the fare basis code.
Coach (least to most expensive) - X T L Q K U B M W R E O Y
Business - I C J
First Class - A F
The letter will be the first letter of the fare basis code.

