What Is Airline Delay Code? Definition & Meaning in Aviation
An airline delay code is a standard number that airlines use to record the cause of a delay, such as late baggage, weather or air traffic control.
In plain language
IATA defines the standard delay codes. Airlines use them to analyse and reduce delays, though passengers rarely see them.
Example
A delay caused by fog at the destination is logged under a weather code, while one caused by a late inbound aircraft is logged under a rotation code.
Why it matters
Delay codes are how airlines learn from delays. They also explain why the stated reason for a delay is often brief: the system records a standard cause.