How to Master Amadeus Encode & Decode Commands (DAN, DAC, DNA, DC, DNE)
In the Amadeus GDS system, travel agents rely on quick encode and decode commands to retrieve essential travel data such as city and airport codes, airline information, country codes, and aircraft types. These commands are widely used to speed up reservations and improve accuracy during booking.
This guide explains the most important Amadeus ENCODE and DECODE commands in a simple, practical, and human way.
Good to know: Encode means converting a name into a code (Cairo โ CAI). Decode means converting a code back into the full name (CAI โ Cairo). Mastering both directions saves time and prevents expensive errors on PNRs and tickets.
1. DAN โ Cities & Airports
DAN is your go-to command for anything related to cities and airports.
Encode (Name โ Code)
AMADEUS ยท DAN
dan cairo
Returns: CAI
Partial Match
AMADEUS ยท DAN
dan ca*
Lists all cities and airports starting with “ca”
Decode (Code โ Name)
AMADEUS ยท DAN
dan jfk
Returns: John F. Kennedy International Airport
2. DAC โ Decode Airport Code
DAC is the command you use when you want to know the full airport name from a 3-letter airport code.
AMADEUS ยท DAC
dac cai
Returns: Cairo International Airport (city name)
Tip: Use DAC to verify the exact airport associated with a code โ this helps avoid confusion when a city has multiple airports serving it.
3. DNA โ Airlines
DNA is the airline encode and decode command. It handles airline names, 2-letter codes, and 3-digit numeric codes.
Encode Airline by Name
AMADEUS ยท DNA
dna aircairo
Returns: airline code (e.g., SM)
Decode 2-Letter Code
AMADEUS ยท DNA
dna SM
Returns: airline name
Decode 3-Digit Numeric Code
AMADEUS ยท DNA
dna 381
Returns: airline name
4. DC โ Countries
DC is the country encode and decode command.
Encode Country Name
AMADEUS ยท DC
dc egypt
Returns: EG
Decode Country Code
AMADEUS ยท DC
dc eg
Returns: Egypt
Why it matters: Country codes are used for passport and documentation fields in a PNR, as well as for fare and tax calculations.
5. DNE โ Aircraft
DNE is the aircraft equipment encode and decode command. It helps you identify the aircraft type on a segment.
Decode Equipment Code
AMADEUS ยท DNE
DNE 788
Returns: Boeing 787-8
Encode Aircraft Name
AMADEUS ยท DNE
DNEairbus a320
Returns: equipment code (e.g., 320)
Quick Reference Table
Bookmark this table for quick access during your daily work.
| Command | What It Does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| DAN | Cities & airports (encode / decode) | dan cairo โ CAI |
| DAN * | Partial match โ list all starting with letters | dan ca* |
| DAC | Decode airport code to full airport name | dac cai |
| DNA | Airlines โ name, 2-letter, or 3-digit numeric | dna aircairo |
| DC | Countries โ encode / decode | dc egypt โ EG |
| DNE | Aircraft equipment encode / decode | DNE 788 |
Related reading: For a complete command reference, see the Ultimate Amadeus Commands Guide. For the same commands in Galileo, read How to Master Galileo Encode & Decode Commands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the DAN command do in Amadeus?
DAN is the Amadeus command used to encode or decode cities and airports. Entering DAN followed by a city name returns the corresponding IATA code (
dan cairo โ CAI). Entering DAN followed by an airport code returns the airport name (dan jfk โ John F. Kennedy International Airport). Adding an asterisk at the end (dan ca*) shows all cities and airports starting with those letters.What does the DAC command do in Amadeus?
DAC is the Amadeus command used to decode an airport code and display the full airport name. For example,
dac cai returns Cairo International Airport. It is commonly used to confirm the exact airport associated with a 3-letter IATA code.What does the DNA command do in Amadeus?
DNA is the Amadeus command for airlines. You can use it to encode an airline by name (
dna aircairo โ SM), decode a 2-letter airline code (dna SM โ airline name), or decode a 3-digit numeric code (dna 381 โ airline name). This is useful for verifying airline names, codes, and numeric prefixes used on tickets.What does the DC command do in Amadeus?
DC is the Amadeus command for countries. Use it to encode a country name into its 2-letter code (
dc egypt โ EG) or decode a 2-letter country code into the full country name (dc eg โ Egypt). This is useful when filling out passport and documentation fields in a PNR.What does the DNE command do in Amadeus?
DNE is the Amadeus command for aircraft equipment codes. Use it to decode an equipment code into the aircraft name (
DNE 788 โ Boeing 787-8) or encode an aircraft name into its equipment code (DNEairbus a320 โ 320). It is useful when verifying the aircraft type on a segment.How do I find a city code in Amadeus?
Use the DAN command followed by the city name. For example:
dan cairo returns CAI. If you only know part of the name, add an asterisk: dan ca* lists every city or airport starting with CA.How do I decode an airline code in Amadeus?
Use the DNA command followed by the 2-letter airline code. For example:
dna MS returns Egyptair. You can also decode a 3-digit numeric code with dna 381 to find the airline name.๐ Related Guides
Galileo
How to Master Galileo Encode & Decode Commands
Reference
The Ultimate Amadeus Commands Guide
Amadeus
How to Create a PNR in Amadeus
Amadeus
Amadeus Lesson 2: How to Add Passenger Names (NM)
GDS Guide
How to Add Contact Details in Amadeus, Galileo & Sabre
Comparison
Amadeus vs Sabre vs Galileo
Practise Amadeus Encode & Decode in a Safe Simulator
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