Shipment Tracking Guide

Air Waybill Number Format

Learn the standard 11-digit AWB format, airline accounting prefix, serial number, check digit, validation, and interline considerations.

A master air waybill number normally contains an IATA airline accounting prefix followed by an eight-digit serial sequence. It can be written with or without a hyphen.

AWB structure

Example: 020-12345675. The first three digits identify the issuing airline and the following eight digits identify the shipment document.

020: airline accounting prefix.
1234567: serial portion.
5: check digit derived from the serial sequence.
The hyphen is formatting and is often optional in tracking forms.

Issuing airline versus operating airline

The prefix identifies the airline that issued the master AWB. Interline cargo can travel on a flight operated by another airline while keeping the original AWB number.

Validation and tracking

A mathematically valid AWB does not prove that a booking exists. The airline must also have created or received the shipment record.

Check all eleven digits.
Select the airline associated with the three-digit prefix.
Allow for initial booking or acceptance processing before events appear.

Frequently asked questions

Is the hyphen required in an AWB number?

Usually not. Many systems accept both 020-12345675 and 02012345675.

Does the AWB prefix identify every airline operating the route?

No. It identifies the issuing airline; other airlines can operate interline flight legs.