What does AA stand for?

Alaska Airlines

While AA properly denotes American Airlines, some confusion may occur with Alaska Airlines (AS), particularly in regional discussions. Alaska Airlines is a major carrier based in Seattle with an extensive network along the West Coast and to Alaska, but it has never used the AA code. This potential confusion highlights the importance of precise airline code usage in the aviation industry. Alaska Airlines maintains its own distinct identity as a West Coast specialist with a different route structure and operational focus compared to American Airlines.

In airline categorization, such distinctions are crucial because codes directly affect reservations, baggage routing, and operational communications. While both are major US carriers, Alaska Airlines (AS) and American Airlines (AA) serve largely complementary rather than overlapping markets, with Alaska strong in Pacific Northwest and transcontinental routes while American dominates transatlantic and hub connections. The potential for AA/AS confusion demonstrates why the airline industry maintains strict code assignments and why professionals must use them accurately, especially in written communications and computer systems where similar-looking codes could lead to operational errors or misrouted passengers and baggage.