Check your airline confirmation email or booking reference
Your airline sent you a confirmation email when you booked. Open that email and look for the departure city — it will be listed as the origin airport, usually with the three-letter airport code next to it. The email also shows your booking reference (a six-character code), which you can use to look up your flight on the airline's website if you need to verify details.
If you cannot find the confirmation email, log into your airline account directly. Most airlines let you search past bookings by name and date of birth, or by entering your booking reference. The airline's website will show the full itinerary, including where the flight departs from.
Key Takeaways
- Your airline confirmation email contains the departure city and airport code for your flight.
- You can look up your booking on the airline's website using your confirmation number or account login.
- Your boarding pass — whether printed, on your phone, or at the airport — lists the departure airport in the top left corner.
- If you booked through a travel website like Expedia or Kayak, log into that site to see your itinerary and departure details.
- Calling the airline directly with your booking reference will get you the answer in under five minutes.
Look at your boarding pass
Your boarding pass shows the departure airport in the top left corner, next to the three-letter airport code. If you have a printed boarding pass, check the paper copy. If you checked in on your phone, open your airline's app or your email and pull up the mobile boarding pass — the airport code is displayed prominently.
You can get a boarding pass at the airport check-in counter or kiosk even if you have not checked in online yet. The agent will print one or display it on screen, and it will show your departure city.
Search your booking on a travel website
If you booked through Expedia, Kayak, Google Flights, or another travel site, log into that website using the email address you used to book. Find your reservation in your account and open the itinerary. The departure city and airport code will be listed at the top of your flight details.
Travel websites keep your booking history for at least a year, so even if your trip is coming up soon, you should be able to find it. If you do not remember which site you used, check your email for a confirmation from Expedia, Kayak, or another travel company.
Call the airline directly
If you cannot locate your confirmation email or access your booking online, call the airline's customer service line. Have your booking reference ready — it is the six-character code on your confirmation email or boarding pass. The agent will pull up your reservation and tell you the departure city in under five minutes.
You can find the airline's phone number on its website or on your boarding pass. Most airlines have a dedicated number for existing reservations, separate from the main customer service line.
Check your credit card or bank statement
Your credit card or bank statement shows the charge from the airline, but it usually does not include the departure city. However, the statement may have a confirmation number or reference that you can use to look up the booking on the airline's website. If the charge includes a note or description, it might mention the route.
This method is slower than the others, but it can help you track down your booking if you have lost all other records.
Ask your travel agent or corporate travel program
If someone else booked your flight — a travel agent, your employer's travel department, or a family member — contact them directly. They have the booking details and can tell you the departure city right away. They may also have a copy of your itinerary on file.
Corporate travel programs often send confirmation emails to both the traveler and the booking department, so check your work email as well as your personal email.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I booked my flight months ago and cannot find the confirmation email?
Log into your airline account or the travel website where you booked and search your past reservations by name and date of birth. Most airlines and travel sites keep booking history for one to two years. If that does not work, call the airline with your name and travel date — they can look it up in their system.
Does the airport code on my boarding pass tell me where the flight is coming from?
No. Your boarding pass shows two airport codes: the departure airport (where your flight leaves from) and the arrival airport (where it lands). The departure airport is listed first, usually in the top left corner next to "From" or "Departs". The arrival airport is listed second, next to "To" or "Arrives".
Can I find my departure city on my airline's app?
Yes. Open your airline's app, log in, and find your upcoming flight in the "My Trips" or "Reservations" section. The app will display your full itinerary, including the departure city and airport code. You can also check in on the app and view your mobile boarding pass, which shows the departure airport.
What if I do not remember which airline I flew with?
Check your email for confirmation messages from airlines. Search your inbox for common airline names or for the word "confirmation". You can also check your credit card statement for charges from airlines. Once you identify the airline, call their customer service with your name and travel date, and they will find your booking.