Call Us:- 1-866-235-8886
You just received your Canada to India flight booking confirmation email. Somewhere in there are three different strings of letters and numbers — a flight number, a booking reference (PNR) and a ticket number. They look similar at first but each one has a completely different function in the global aviation system.
A lot of travelers mix them up and it is one of the most common mistakes they make. Showing the wrong code at check in or giving the flight number when the agent needs the PNR just wastes your time. If you use the wrong code for visa applications, insurance or refunds, it can cause delays or problems.
This guide explains all three codes with precision — what each means, how it is structured, where to find it, and exactly when to use it.
Flight Number (AC 856 / EK 226)
Identifies a specific airline route. Stays the same across all passengers on that flight.
PNR / Booking Ref (XK7T2A)
Your unique 6-character booking record. Tied to your reservation and personal details.
Ticket Number (014-2190100321)
A 13 digit proof of payment. Issued after you pay. Required for refunds and claims.
A flight number is a code that identifies a specific scheduled air service operated by an airline on a given route. It is a public identifier — every passenger on the same aircraft shares the same flight number, airport screens display it and flight tracking websites use it.
It is made up of two parts: the airline’s IATA two-character designator code, followed by a numeric sequence of one to four digits. You’ll see a flight number like—
AC 042 – Air Canada, flight route 042 (Toronto to Delhi)
EK 242 – Emirates, flight route 242 (Vancouver to Dubai)
The IATA two letter airline code is globally unique and cannot be used by any other carrier. No two active airlines share the same IATA designator. Airlines also sell the same flight under different numbers (codeshare), so two passengers can sit on the same plane with different flight numbers.
A flight number only shows the airline and route. It does not include your name, seat, ticket details or booking information. You cannot use it to access or manage your booking. If an airl
A flight number only shows the airline and route. It does not include your name, seat, ticket details or booking information and you cannot use it to manage your flight booking. If an airline asks for your booking reference, do not give your flight number.
Also Read: How to Track a Flight Using Flight Number
A PNR (Passenger Name Record) is a 6 character code that holds your booking details in the airline system. It acts as your booking reference and gives access to your trip. You receive it when you start a booking even before payment. For example, a PNR looks like this— Z7XKQ2 or AB3D9F.
A PNR includes your name, contact details, flight information, seat selection, meal preference and ticket details. You use it to check your booking status, complete web check in, and manage your trip. Also, airlines and travel agents use this code to find your reservation instantly.
If your journey includes one or more airlines, each airline can assign its own PNR for its part of the trip. You must keep all of them. Airlines also use different terms like booking reference or confirmation number but they all refer to the same code.
A PNR is not proof of payment. It only stores your booking. Without a ticket number, your booking is not confirmed.
A ticket number is a 13 digit code that confirms your flight has been paid for and issued. It is your proof of purchase and is linked to your booking. You receive it only after payment is completed. For example, a ticket number looks like this: 014-2190100321 or 176-9876543210. The first three digits show the airline code and the remaining digits form a unique number for your ticket. Each ticket number is unique.
A ticket number is used for refunds, cancellations and airline support. Airlines use it to track payments and ticket status. Unlike a PNR, it confirms that your seat is fully booked. One PNR can include multiple passengers but each passenger gets a different ticket number. If your ticket is changed/reissued, a new ticket number is created while the PNR stays the same.
Below is a comprehensive comparison of all three codes across the most important dimensions:
|
Feature |
Flight Number | PNR / Booking Ref | Ticket Number |
| Full Name | Flight Designator | Passenger Name Record |
E-Ticket / Coupon Number |
|
Format |
2-letter airline code + 1–4 digits (e.g., AC856) | 6 alphanumeric characters (e.g., XK7T2A) | 13 digits (e.g., 014-2190-100321) |
| Unique To | A route and scheduled service (shared by all passengers) | One booking / one itinerary (may cover multiple passengers) |
One individual passenger coupon (globally unique) |
|
Created When |
When airline schedules the route | When booking is initiated (before payment) |
After payment is confirmed |
|
Changes After Rebooking |
May change (new flight = new number) | stays the same |
Always changes (new ticket is issued) |
| Reused? | Yes — same number runs repeatedly | Yes — recycled after journey ends |
Never reused |
|
Use for Check-In |
No | Yes (primary method) | Sometimes (as secondary verification) |
|
Use for Refunds |
No | Partially | Yes — required |
| Use for Flight Tracking | Yes — primary method | No |
No |
|
Required for Visa Application |
No | Sometimes (shows booking exists) | Yes — confirms paid booking |
| Visible on Boarding Pass | Yes | Yes |
Sometimes |
|
Sensitive Data? |
No — fully public | Yes — can expose booking details |
Yes — financial identifier |
You can find all three in your booking confirmation email, e-ticket PDF, airline app or travel agency confirmation (like Tripbeam.ca).
Now that you know exactly what every code on your boarding pass means, booking your next flight is easier than ever. Get the best deals on last minute flights to India from Canada with Tripbeam Canada. Call us today for the latest offers and make your booking affordable.
A) A PNR is your booking record created when you reserve a seat — it is 6 characters and exists before payment. An e ticket number is a 13 digit code generated after payment and represents your purchased ticket. Both are on your confirmation, but they serve entirely different purposes.
A) Yes. Most airlines accept either the PNR/the ticket number for check in, combined with your last name. The PNR is preferred. However, for some reissued/exchanged tickets, the ticket number will be needed as a fallback identifier.
A) This commonly happens on multi airline itineraries or separate bookings. If your connecting flights are operated by two different carriers that use different reservation systems, each airline issues its own PNR for its segment. Keep both — you will need each one to check in with the respective airline.
A) No. A delayed or even rescheduled flight retains the same flight number. Only if your original flight is cancelled and you are rebooked onto a completely different scheduled service will you get a new flight number.
A) Once your journey is complete, the PNR moves to a historical status. Airlines are required to retain PNR data for a period defined by national regulations for security and audit purposes. Eventually, the 6 character locator code will be recycled and assigned to a new booking.
A) No. When you book through a third-party platform (OTA or travel agency), you receive a confirmation number from them, which is different from the airline’s PNR.
A) No. Flight tracking systems use the flight number, not the PNR. Your PNR is a private booking identifier within airline and travel agent systems. It has no function on public flight tracking platforms.
A) Yes. The booking reference you see in your confirmation email is the PNR locator code — the key that opens your PNR file. While technically a PNR is the entire data record and the booking reference is just its identifier, airlines and travellers use the two terms interchangeably.
A) No. A booking confirmation number is usually the same as your PNR (6 characters). A ticket number is 13 digits and represents the issued electronic ticket. Your booking can exist as a PNR without a ticket number if payment hasn't been completed.
A) Yes. If a family of four books under one PNR, there will be four separate 13-digit ticket numbers — one per passenger. Additionally, if a ticket is changed, a new ticket number is issued while the PNR may stay the same.
A) Yes. In codeshare arrangements, two airlines share a single aircraft. Each airline markets the flight under its own flight number. So the same physical plane from Toronto to Delhi can carry both EK 242 (Emirates) and QF 8108 (Qantas) as flight numbers.
A) No. Award redemption tickets (booked with frequent flyer miles), some infant/lap tickets and tickets issued under unusual fare conditions can have different identifiers. However, under IATA’s e ticketing mandate (in place since 2008), the vast majority of commercial flight tickets issued today carry a standard 13 digit number.
Tell us more details to help better
