Travel

The secret codes airline staff use that could mean your flight will be delayed including PO and DF


AIRLINE staff often use special codes when speaking to each other, in part because it gets across what they want to say very quickly.

But for passengers, knowing the codes as well can be helpful as you can find out straight away whether your flight might be delayed and why.

 If you hear these codes, your flight is going to be delayed

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If you hear these codes, your flight is going to be delayedCredit: Getty – Contributor

Many of these codes are set out in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) delay codes manual.

There are several sections, each with multiple codes, which correlate to specific reasons for delays.

For example, there are eight different codes just for passenger and baggage problems.

And in total, there are around 100 different codes in use.

Delay code categories:

  • Passenger and baggage problems
  • Cargo and mail
  • Aircraft and ramp
  • Technical and aircraft equipment
  • Aircraft damage and equipment failure
  • Flight operations and crew
  • Weather
  • Air traffic
  • Reactionary or other

Each code is two letters but it could also be a number – for example, late delivery of fuel is GF or the number 36 could be used – and whether a number or letter is used could be up to the airline.

Adam Faulkner, British Airways turnaround shift manager, told Sun Online Travel: “Say if there is a wheelchair that is slow to come on before departing, we would use PWI, which means Passenger Wheelchair Inbound.

“If there was a wheelchair on the outbound flight which was slow to board, it would be PWO – Passenger Wheelchair Outbound.

“There is also PS, which stands for passenger convenience.

“This could mean there is a young family, perhaps with a buggy, who were slow to board.

“We can’t force them on as you only have a certain amount of control to get them on the plane as quickly as possible.”

 Slow boarding passengers could also cause a delay

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Slow boarding passengers could also cause a delayCredit: Alamy

Other passengers problems that can crop up are problems with their details (PE) or missing checked in passengers (PH).

While passengers are often the cause of delays, it can also be due to the plane itself.

Adam explained: “There could be late fuelling, or late baggage – they all have unique delay codes.”

For example, technical problems such as damage to the plane during a flight (DF), unscheduled maintenance work needed (TN) or problems with the control systems (ED) and flight plans (EF).

Crew themselves can hinder a flight leaving on time – if they are missing due to a previous flight or sickness, the phrase FC will be used.

British Airways’ tight turnaround schedule revealed in behind the scenes video – and crew have just 20 minutes to get the cabin ready for take off

A delayed cleaning crew will be signalled with the code GC while late catering is GB.

Weather is a common cause of problems, especially during winter.

A problem at the departure airport in this case would have the code WO, and bad conditions at the destination would be WT.

Adam added: “We have to learn them all but you get to know them quickly.”

Planes can easily be delayed during turnaround due to the strict time schedule.

British Airways previously revealed everything that happens during a 40 minute turnaround of a short-haul aircraft.

Other IATA delay codes

AM – restrictions at the airport such as curfews, political unrest or staff shortage

AG – problems at immigration or customs with passengers

CI – repacking of cargo and baggage

DF – aircraft damaged during flight operations including bird strike

DG – aircraft damaged during ground operations including while loading luggage

PD – baggage is late or incorrectly stored on plane

PH – checked in passengers missing from the plane

PL – check in opened later than planned

PO – overbooked flight

MI – industrial action within the airline

MO – industrial action outside of the airline

RA – delayed aircraft from another flight

RS – delayed cabin crew from another flight

WI – ice and snow to be removed from plane

WS – weather conditions to be removed from airport including snow and ice

If your flight is delayed for more than three hours, you are able to claim compensation under EU law 261/2004.

Compensation amounts range from €250 (£230) to €600 (£554) depending on the length of flight.

An Air Traffic Controller revealed to Sun Online that delays aren’t always because of air traffic control, despite what airlines may say.





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