Air Travel · Receipt Glossary
PNR (Passenger Name Record)
A 6-character alphanumeric airline confirmation code. Different from the 13-digit ticket number. Used to retrieve and modify the booking.
A PNR (Passenger Name Record), commonly called the "confirmation code" or "RecLoc" (Record Locator), is a 6-character alphanumeric code that identifies an airline booking. Examples: "ABCDEF", "X4P7QR".
PNRs are NOT unique to airlines globally — the same PNR can be reused by different airlines years apart. They’re unique within an airline’s system at any given time. That’s why agents always ask for both the airline and the PNR.
On itinerary receipts, the PNR usually appears near the top: "Confirmation code: ABCDEF". It’s what you use at the airport kiosk to check in, at the gate to ask questions, and on the airline’s website to manage the booking.
The PNR is distinct from the 13-digit ticket number (e.g., "006-1234567890"). The ticket number is the IATA-defined unique identifier for a specific ticket; the PNR is the booking record that may contain multiple tickets (for multi-passenger bookings).
See this in action
Brands whose receipts demonstrate pnr (passenger name record).
Related terms
Ready to create a receipt?
Apply this knowledge with our free online receipt maker.
Open the generator