Passenger Name Records (PNR) are collected by airlines solely for their business purposes. PNR contain information about bookings made which can include as little as a name, an itinerary and a ticket indicator. Accuracy is not guaranteed and PNR can contain sensitive personal data.

In the aviation industry and according to IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards, PNR stands for Passenger Name Record. It is a digital file stored in a Global Distribution System (GDS) that contains the complete itinerary for a passenger or a group of passengers traveling together. A PNR is identified by a unique 6-character alphanumeric code, often referred to as a "Record Locator" or "Confirmation Code." This file is the backbone of travel logistics; it includes essential data such as the passenger's name, contact details, ticketing information, flight segments, seat assignments, and any special requests like meal preferences or wheelchair assistance. When you book a flight, the PNR is what allows different airlines, travel agencies, and border control systems to access and update your travel info in real-time. Under IATA guidelines, PNR data is also shared with government agencies (like the TSA or CBSA) for security screening and "Advance Passenger Information" purposes. For the traveler, the PNR code is the most important piece of information to have when checking in online or managing a booking, as it serves as the master key to your entire journey within the complex global aviation network.