What is an AWB prefix?
The first three digits of a standard air waybill are the IATA airline prefix. They tell you who issued the document before you read the rest of the number. Prefixes are assigned by IATA; they are not the same as a two-letter airline code (EK, QR, LH).
This directory covers 167 prefix records across 155 unique carriers. Some airlines have more than one prefix (for example Air Canada 014 and 028). Logistics brands such as FedEx (023), DHL (615), and UPS (406) appear here because they issue air waybills, even when most consumer tracking numbers use a different format.
Frequently looked-up prefixes
| Prefix | Carrier | Track |
|---|---|---|
| 176 | Emirates SkyCargo | Track · 176 |
| 157 | Qatar Airways Cargo | Track · 157 |
| 020 | Lufthansa Cargo | Track · 020 |
| 075 | British Airways / IAG Cargo | Track · 075 |
| 235 | Turkish Cargo | Track · 235 |
| 023 | FedEx | Track · 023 |
| 615 | DHL Aviation | Track · 615 |
| 406 | UPS | Track · 406 |
Need to confirm the last digit of a full 11-digit AWB? Use the AWB validator. Format walkthrough: AWB number format.