Quick answer: NVB means “Not Valid Before” and NVA means “Not Valid After”, the first and last dates a flight coupon can be used. ADT is an adult (12+), CHD a child (2 to 11) and INF an infant under 2. 30K means 30 kg of checked baggage and 1PC means one bag. OK means the seat is confirmed. The 13-digit ticket number starts with the airline’s code, such as 176 for Emirates.
This guide walks through a real-format e-ticket line by line, so you can check your own ticket in a couple of minutes. It covers the codes our customers ask us about most, and what to do if something looks wrong.
Table of Contents
A sample e-ticket, decoded
Here is a typical Emirates return ticket from Dubai to Karachi, laid out the way most e-ticket receipts show it. The name, booking reference and ticket number are made up for this example.
PASSENGER KHAN/AHMED MR ADT BOOKING REF K7XQ2P TICKET 176 2345678901 FROM TO FLT DATE TIME CLASS STATUS FARE BASIS NVB NVA BAG DXB KHI EK600 02DEC 1035 Q OK QLOWPK1 02DEC 02DEC 30K KHI DXB EK601 20DEC 1500 Q OK QLOWPK1 20DEC 20DEC 30K ENDORSEMENTS NONEND/CHNG PENALTY APPLIES FARE CALC DXB EK KHI 95.29 EK DXB 95.29NUC190.58END ROE3.6725 TAX AE TP ZR F6 YQ
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| KHAN/AHMED MR | Surname first, then given name, then title. It must match your passport. |
| ADT | Adult passenger, 12 or older on the day of travel. |
| K7XQ2P | Booking reference (PNR). Use it to check in or manage the booking. |
| 176 2345678901 | 13-digit ticket number. 176 is the Emirates prefix. |
| Q | Booking class. Lower letters in economy are usually cheaper and stricter. |
| OK | The seat on that flight is confirmed. |
| QLOWPK1 | Fare basis code. It links to the fare rules: changes, refunds, minimum stay. |
| 02DEC / 02DEC | NVB and NVA. Both on the flight date means the coupon is only valid on that flight. |
| 30K | 30 kg of checked baggage per passenger. |
| NONEND | Non endorsable. The ticket cannot be moved to another airline. |
| ROE3.6725 | Rate of exchange used to convert the fare into AED. |
NVB and NVA: the dates people worry about
NVB (Not Valid Before) and NVA (Not Valid After) show the window in which each flight coupon can be flown. On most discounted economy tickets both dates are your flight date, which is normal and simply means the flight is fixed. On flexible or open tickets the NVA can be weeks or months later, up to the fare’s maximum stay.
- Both dates the same: normal for a fixed date ticket. You change it by reissuing the ticket, under the fare rules.
- NVA later than the flight date: you may be able to move the flight inside that window, usually for a fee plus any fare difference.
- Past the NVA: the coupon can no longer be used as it is. Ask the airline or your agent before you assume the value is lost, as some fares still allow a refund of taxes.
Tip for visit visa holders: immigration and airlines look at the return flight date, not the NVA. Make sure your return flight is inside your visa validity. See our UAE visit visa price guide for 30 and 60 day options.
Passenger type codes
| Code | Meaning | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| ADT | Adult, 12 and over | Full fare and full baggage |
| CHD | Child, 2 to 11 | Own seat and usually full baggage |
| INF | Infant, under 2 | Sits on an adult’s lap; small baggage allowance on many airlines |
| UMNR | Unaccompanied minor | A paid airline service for children flying alone |
Age counts on the day of each flight. If a baby turns 2 during the trip, the airline normally needs a child seat for the flights after the birthday, so tell us the date of birth when you book.
Baggage codes
| On the ticket | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 20K, 30K, 40K | Total checked weight allowed, in kilograms |
| 1PC, 2PC | Number of checked pieces. The airline sets the weight per piece, often 23 kg in economy |
| 0PC, NIL or blank | No checked bag included. Common on the cheapest low cost fares |
| 7K on a cabin line | Cabin bag weight limit, where the airline shows it |
Low cost fares on flydubai, Air Arabia and IndiGo often show 0PC unless you add a bag. Adding it when you book is usually cheaper than at the airport.
Status codes
| Code | Meaning | Can you fly? |
|---|---|---|
| OK or HK | Confirmed | Yes |
| RQ | On request, not confirmed | Not yet |
| WL or HL | Waitlisted | Not yet |
| SA | Space available (staff or special tickets) | Only if seats remain |
Coupon status: is my ticket still valid?
Each flight on your ticket is a coupon with its own status. If you call us or the airline, this is what they see:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| O | Open for use. The flight can still be flown |
| A | Airport control. The airline has taken over the coupon, often near departure or after a schedule change |
| C or L | Checked in or lifted (boarded) |
| F | Flown |
| E | Exchanged. The ticket was reissued, so a new ticket number replaces it |
| R | Refunded |
| V | Void. Cancelled on the day it was issued |
| S | Suspended |
Fare basis and booking class
The booking class is a single letter such as Y, B, M, Q or V in economy, J or C in business and F in first. Two people in the same cabin can pay very different prices because their classes carry different rules. The fare basis code (like QLOWPK1) starts with the booking class letter. The rest is set by each airline and points to the exact fare rules, so ask us to read them for you rather than guessing from the letters.
Tax and fee codes on UAE tickets
| Code | What it is |
|---|---|
| AE | UAE passenger service charge |
| TP | Passenger security and safety fee |
| ZR | Advance passenger information fee |
| F6 | Passenger facilities charge |
| YQ or YR | Airline surcharges, such as fuel |
| K3 | India GST, on tickets from India |
Amounts change and depend on your route, so they are shown on your fare breakdown, not here.
Endorsement box: the rules in short
| Endorsement | Meaning |
|---|---|
| NONEND | Cannot be used on another airline |
| NONREF | Fare not refundable (some taxes may still be refundable) |
| CHNG PENALTY APPLIES | Changes allowed for a fee |
| VALID ON EK ONLY | Can only be used on the named airline |
Ticket number prefixes
The first three digits show which airline issued the ticket:
| Prefix | Airline | Prefix | Airline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 176 | Emirates | 607 | Etihad |
| 141 | flydubai | 157 | Qatar Airways |
| 098 | Air India | 214 | PIA |
| 065 | Saudia | 235 | Turkish Airlines |
| 072 | Gulf Air | 910 | Oman Air |
| 603 | SriLankan | 077 | EgyptAir |
| 706 | Kenya Airways | 071 | Ethiopian |
| 079 | Philippine Airlines | 229 | Kuwait Airways |
Some low cost airlines send a booking confirmation with only a booking reference. That is normal for them, and it is still a valid booking.
Special request codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| WCHR | Wheelchair to and from the aircraft; can walk stairs and to the seat |
| WCHS | Wheelchair; cannot manage stairs |
| WCHC | Wheelchair; fully immobile |
| BSCT | Baby bassinet seat |
| VGML, AVML | Vegetarian meal, Asian vegetarian meal |
| MOML | Muslim meal |
| CHML, BBML | Child meal, baby meal |
Five checks we make before you fly
- Your name matches your passport exactly, including the order of names.
- Your return date fits inside your visa validity.
- Baggage on the ticket matches what you plan to carry.
- Infant and child ages are right for every flight.
- Each flight shows OK, not RQ or WL.
Not sure about something on your ticket? Send it to us on WhatsApp and we will check it. Our office WhatsApp, +971 4 220 2133, answers 24 hours a day. When you book with us you can pay monthly with Tabby, Tamara or a credit card plan. Travelling with a visit visa on IndiGo or Air India Express? Ask us about OK to Board too.
Comparing airlines? See our baggage allowance from the UAE for 26 airlines, side by side.
E-ticket codes FAQs
What does NVB and NVA mean on a flight ticket?
NVB means Not Valid Before and NVA means Not Valid After. They are the first and last dates that flight coupon can be used. On most cheaper economy fares both show your flight date, which simply means the flight is fixed to that date.
What does ADT mean on a ticket?
ADT is an adult passenger, aged 12 or over on the day of the flight. CHD is a child aged 2 to 11, and INF is an infant under 2 travelling on an adult’s lap.
What does 1PC or 30K mean on my e-ticket?
It is your checked baggage allowance. 1PC means one piece (the airline sets the weight per piece, often 23 kg), and 30K means 30 kg in total. 0PC or NIL means no checked bag is included.
Is the PNR the same as the ticket number?
No. The PNR (booking reference) is 6 letters and numbers, used to manage the booking. The ticket number is 13 digits and proves the fare was paid. You can have a PNR without a ticket, but you cannot fly without one.
How can I tell which airline issued my ticket?
Look at the first three digits of the ticket number. 176 is Emirates, 607 is Etihad, 141 is flydubai and 157 is Qatar Airways.
What does status OK mean on my e-ticket?
OK means your seat on that flight is confirmed. RQ means the seat is requested but not yet confirmed, and WL means waitlisted. Do not travel to the airport on an RQ or WL segment without checking with the airline or your agent.
My name on the ticket is slightly different from my passport. What should I do?
Contact the airline or your travel agent before you fly. A small spelling difference can stop you boarding, and most airlines only allow corrections before departure, sometimes for a fee.
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