ICAO Aerodrome Reference Codes
Aircraft Sizing & Categories · 7 specs
Direct Answer
The ICAO Aerodrome Reference Code classifies commercial aircraft into Code Letters A through F based on wingspan and outer main gear wheel span (OMGWS) to dictate airport runway width, taxiway clearances, and gate parking dimensions.
Specs
| Standard Authority | ICAO Annex 14 (Aerodromes–Design and Operations) |
| Code A Wingspan | < 15 m (< 49.2 ft) — e.g., Cessna 172, Piper PA-28 |
| Code B Wingspan | 15 m to < 24 m (49.2–78.7 ft) — e.g., Beechcraft King Air, DHC-6 Twin Otter |
| Code C Wingspan | 24 m to < 36 m (78.7–118.1 ft) — e.g., Airbus A320, Boeing 737, Embraer E195 |
| Code D Wingspan | 36 m to < 52 m (118.1–170.6 ft) — e.g., Boeing 757, Boeing 767-200/300 |
| Code E Wingspan | 52 m to < 65 m (170.6–213.3 ft) — e.g., Boeing 777, Airbus A350, Boeing 787 |
| Code F Wingspan | 65 m to < 80 m (213.3–262.5 ft) — e.g., Airbus A380-800, Boeing 747-8 |
ICAO Aerodrome Reference Code Structure
ICAO Annex 14 defines airfield design standards using a two-part alphanumeric code based on aircraft performance and physical geometry:
Element 1: Code Number (Reference Field Length)
- Code 1: Field Length < 800 m (< 2,625 ft)
- Code 2: Field Length 800 m ≤ Length < 1,200 m (2,625–3,937 ft)
- Code 3: Field Length 1,200 m ≤ Length < 1,800 m (3,937–5,905 ft)
- Code 4: Field Length ≥ 1,800 m (≥ 5,905 ft)
Element 2: Code Letter (Wingspan & Outer Main Gear Span)
| ICAO Code Letter | Aircraft Wingspan (m) | Outer Main Gear Wheel Span (m) | Runway Width Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code A | < 15.0 m | < 4.5 m | 18–23 m |
| Code B | 15.0 m ≤ Span < 24.0 m | 4.5 m ≤ Gear < 6.0 m | 23–30 m |
| Code C | 24.0 m ≤ Span < 36.0 m | 6.0 m ≤ Gear < 9.0 m | 30–45 m (Standard Narrowbody) |
| Code D | 36.0 m ≤ Span < 52.0 m | 9.0 m ≤ Gear < 14.0 m | 45 m (B757, B767) |
| Code E | 52.0 m ≤ Span < 65.0 m | 9.0 m ≤ Gear < 14.0 m | 45 m (B777, B787, A330, A350) |
| Code F | 65.0 m ≤ Span < 80.0 m | 14.0 m ≤ Gear < 16.0 m | 60 m (A380, B747-8) |
Master Commercial Aircraft Aerodrome Classification Directory
| Aircraft Model | Wingspan | Overall Length | Outer Main Gear Span | Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW) | ICAO Code | FAA ADG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATR 42-600 | 24.57 m |
22.67 m |
4.10 m |
18,600 kg | Code 2C | ADG II |
| ATR 72-600 | 27.05 m |
27.17 m |
4.10 m |
23,000 kg | Code 3C | ADG III |
| De Havilland Dash 8-Q400 | 28.40 m |
32.80 m |
8.80 m |
30,481 kg | Code 3C | ADG III |
| Embraer E175-E2 | 31.05 m |
32.40 m |
6.00 m |
44,600 kg | Code 3C | ADG III |
| Embraer E195-E2 | 35.12 m |
41.50 m |
6.20 m |
61,500 kg | Code 3C | ADG III |
| Airbus A220-300 | 35.10 m |
38.70 m |
5.90 m |
70,900 kg | Code 3C | ADG III |
| Boeing 737-800 | 35.79 m |
39.50 m |
7.00 m |
79,010 kg | Code 4C | ADG III |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 35.92 m |
39.52 m |
7.00 m |
82,190 kg | Code 4C | ADG III |
| Boeing 737 MAX 10 | 35.92 m |
43.80 m |
7.00 m |
89,765 kg | Code 4C | ADG III |
| Airbus A320neo | 35.80 m |
37.57 m |
7.59 m |
79,000 kg | Code 4C | ADG III |
| Airbus A321neo / XLR | 35.80 m |
44.51 m |
7.59 m |
97,000 kg | Code 4C | ADG III |
| Boeing 757-200 | 38.05 m |
47.32 m |
8.60 m |
115,680 kg | Code 4D | ADG IV |
| Boeing 767-300ER | 47.57 m |
54.94 m |
10.90 m |
186,880 kg | Code 4D | ADG IV |
| Airbus A330-300 / -900 | 60.30 m |
63.66 m |
12.60 m |
251,000 kg | Code 4E | ADG V |
| Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner | 60.12 m |
56.70 m |
11.50 m |
227,930 kg | Code 4E | ADG V |
| Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | 60.12 m |
62.80 m |
11.50 m |
254,000 kg | Code 4E | ADG V |
| Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner | 60.12 m |
68.30 m |
11.50 m |
254,000 kg | Code 4E | ADG V |
| Boeing 777-200ER | 60.93 m |
63.73 m |
12.80 m |
297,550 kg | Code 4E | ADG V |
| Boeing 777-300ER | 64.80 m |
73.86 m |
12.85 m |
351,530 kg | Code 4E | ADG V |
| Boeing 777-9 (Folded Wings) | 64.85 m |
76.70 m |
12.90 m |
351,530 kg | Code 4E (on ground) | ADG V |
| Boeing 777-9 (Flight Wings) | 71.75 m |
76.70 m |
12.90 m |
351,530 kg | Code 4F (in flight) | ADG VI |
| Airbus A350-900 | 64.75 m |
66.80 m |
12.89 m |
283,000 kg | Code 4E | ADG V |
| Airbus A350-1000 | 64.75 m |
73.79 m |
12.89 m |
319,000 kg | Code 4E | ADG V |
| Boeing 747-400 | 64.44 m |
70.66 m |
12.70 m |
396,890 kg | Code 4E | ADG V |
| Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental | 68.40 m |
76.30 m |
12.70 m |
447,700 kg | Code 4F | ADG VI |
| Airbus A380-800 | 79.75 m |
72.72 m |
14.34 m |
575,000 kg | Code 4F | ADG VI |
| Antonov An-124 Ruslan | 73.30 m |
68.96 m |
9.50 m |
402,000 kg | Code 4F | ADG VI |
| Antonov An-225 Mriya | 88.40 m |
84.00 m |
9.00 m |
640,000 kg | Code 4F | ADG VI |