A PNR (Passenger Name Record) is a 6-character alphanumeric code (e.g., AB12C3) that serves as a digital certificate and unique identifier for your flight reservation. Often called a Booking Reference or Record Locator, it contains your flight itinerary, contact details, ticketing status, and any special requests like meal preferences or wheelchair assistance. Unlike a 13-digit ticket number, which proves payment, the PNR is what you use in 2026 to log into an airline's "Manage Booking" portal to select seats, check-in online, or update your information. For 2026 travelers, the PNR is the single most important code for travel logistics; if you lose your itinerary, this code allows any airline agent worldwide to instantly retrieve your entire travel history and current booking status across multiple connecting carriers.