A Passenger Name Record (PNR) is a unique 6-character alphanumeric code stored in a Computer Reservation System (CRS) that contains a traveler's booking details, itinerary, and personal information.
What is a Passenger Name Record?
A Passenger Name Record is a 6-character alphanumeric code that is automatically generated when a customer books a train or plane ticket. The PNR is stored within a Computer Reservation System alongside detailed information about the passenger including the itinerary, contact details, and other personal information.
Why was the PNR created?
The initial standards for the PNR were created in the 1960s by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airlines for America (ATA) in response to the need for airlines to exchange reservation information when passengers needed to use multiple airlines throughout their journey.
Equipped with the PNR, airlines are able to easily share information and get a complete insight into a passenger's journey. Despite emerging for use exclusively by airlines, the codes are also used by hotels, car rental companies, train operators, and more.
How does a PNR work?
Here's how a PNR moves through the booking lifecycle:
Booking creation: When you book a flight or train ticket, the reservation system generates a unique 6-character PNR.
Data storage: Your travel details, contact information, and itinerary are stored against this PNR in the Computer Reservation System.
Airline data sharing: When your journey involves multiple carriers, airlines use the PNR to share your booking information seamlessly.
Check-in and travel: At check-in, your PNR retrieves all stored details to issue boarding passes and confirm your itinerary.
Post-travel retention: The PNR and associated data are retained for a set period based on regulatory requirements.
What's the difference between a PNR and a booking reference?
While often used interchangeably, there's a subtle distinction. A PNR is the complete data record stored in the reservation system, containing all your booking information. A booking reference (or confirmation number) is the 6-character code that identifies and retrieves that record. In everyday use, both terms typically refer to the same alphanumeric code you receive when booking.
Which information is included in a PNR?
There is no strict industry standard for the structure or type of information that needs to be included with a PNR. With that said, shared priorities and needs mean that there are common structures that have emerged.
Essential Information
The following information is essential to a PNR and is required before a booking can be made:
The passenger name
The contact details for the travel agent
The name of the person providing the information
The ticket details
The itinerary of at least one portion of the trip
Supplementary Information
Once this information has been provided, the PNR will be generated and it won’t change regardless of amendments that are made to the booking. A range of supplementary information is often stored too, such as:
Contact information for the passenger and travel agency
Age details if necessary
Frequent flyer information
Information about seating
Special Service Requests (SSR) if necessary
Information about the fare
The amount of taxes paid on a booking
The payment method
Any vendor remarks.
Additional Information
After the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York and the March 2004 Madrid train bombings, governments around the world determined that the PNR can be a key tool in the fight against terrorism. Many governments now demand that organizations collect additional information about each passenger. This includes:
The gender of the passenger
Passport details
All payment/billing information
Date of birth
Place of birth
Who created the PNR?
The initial standards for the PNR were developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airlines for America (ATA) in the 1960s.
How long is a PNR stored?
PNR data retention periods vary by jurisdiction. Under the EU PNR Directive (2016/681), airlines must retain PNR data for five years, with passenger identities masked after six months. In the US, the Secure Flight program requires carriers to retain data for seven years. Always check local regulations for specific retention requirements.
Are passengers concerned about the privacy implications of the PNR system?
The PNR system means that detailed personal information is collected about passengers. Regulations like the EU PNR Directive (2016/681) and the US Secure Flight program set strict rules on how this data is collected, stored, and shared. Some critics wonder whether privacy or security should come first, and there is a divide between the proponents and opponents of the PNR system.
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