Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Airlines/Codes archive

message: The codes being discussed are those assigned to the airline by IATA (airline code), ICAO (airline codes and call sign).  Not all airlines have all of these codes assigned so not listing it leaves the question of 'is it missing or is it not listed?'
Currently several methods for displaying airline codes are used:
*, usually after the airport name
*In the article under a heading that usually contains the work Codes
*Somewhere in the text of the article.
*In some cases, no codes are listed, but this is likely not going to be the suggestion so it is not discussed below.
There are advantages and disadvantages to all of these.
*
**Advantages
***Entry in all articles is the same.  
***Changes made to the template show up in all of the articles with no additional work.
***If/When the IATA codes stop being used, a simple change to the template will drop the display of this code on all pages.
***Matches the format for Airport codes.
***Compact display and in a standard position like we normally see for a company stock symbol.
***Easy to add/change a category to all airline articles.
**Disadvantages
***If/When the IATA codes stop being used, changing the template may no longer display the historical IATA code.
***Does not display as well if one of the codes is missing
*Codes heading
**Advantages
***Shows up in the TOC.
***Uses more space so might be considered a better layout
**Disadvantages
***Making changes requires every article to be touched.
***It's easy to add this entry with a link that goes through a redirect rather then directly to the correct page.
*Listed in the article
**Advantages
***Easier to include a code within the text when you discuss the historic significance of the code without listing the code multiple times.
**Disadvantages
***Difficult to find for updates and to see if one of the codes is missing.
Note:  This discussion may be unimportant if the decision is to adopt an infobox and include the codes in the infobox.  If that happens, the standard place would be the infobox.  Vegaswikian 06:53, 16 July 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: Where to put codes

message: Thought I should enter the debate since I seem to be entering most of the new airline articles being developed and have been fostering a particular approach to codes which I think is preferable (see ABSA - Aerolinhas Brasileiras for instance). My preference is for codes to appear headlined in the body of the article to emphasise their importance and to make them clear for the ordinary reader. The template, in my view, just looks poor and does not give the codes sufficient emphasis. I have to say I find the infobox approach to be intrusive - it destroys the flow of the article, which has to be squashed up beside it, it is often hard to read, and I simply cannot see it being employed across all the hundreds of airline articles in place and to be developed (eg the Brazilian one above). In the interim while we perhaps await an infobox for every article I would suggest that the use of a code section is retained, as of the type that I employ. Sorry I didn't join in before now - been writing too many articles. No doubt I will hear from you all soon.Ardfern 23:08, 19 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: Code Heading for me