Every flight segment in a PNR carries a two-letter status code — HK, HL, KK, and several others. These codes tell you whether a seat is actually confirmed, waitlisted, or something else entirely, and misreading one can mean telling a client they have a confirmed seat when they're actually on a waitlist. This guide explains exactly what each code means.
Why Status Codes Matter
A PNR status code appears right after the airline and flight number in a segment line, usually followed by a number indicating seat count — for example, HK2 means "confirmed, 2 seats." Getting this wrong isn't a small mistake; it directly affects whether a passenger actually has a guaranteed seat on the flight.
The Most Common Status Codes
| Code | Meaning | What It Means for the Passenger |
|---|---|---|
| HK | Holds Confirmed | Seat is confirmed and held — the passenger is booked |
| HL | Holds Waitlisted | Passenger is on the waitlist, not yet guaranteed a seat |
| KK | Confirming | Confirmed by the airline after a request |
| KL | Waitlisted (alternate code) | Similar to HL — still waitlisted |
| UN | Unable | Airline could not confirm the request |
| UC | Unable to Confirm | Request could not be fulfilled |
| NN | Need/Pending | Request sent, awaiting airline response |
| TK | Confirmed (ticketed) | Segment confirmed, typically after ticketing |
| RR | Reconfirmed | Booking has been reconfirmed |
HK vs HL — The Most Important Distinction
This is the pairing that causes the most confusion for new agents, and it's the one that matters most to get right before talking to a client:
- HK (Holds Confirmed) — the passenger has a guaranteed seat. This is what you want to see on every segment before telling a client their trip is confirmed.
- HL (Holds Waitlisted) — the passenger does not have a guaranteed seat yet. They're in line, waiting for a seat to open up. An HL segment can later change to HK (confirmed) or KL once it clears from the waitlist.
Never tell a client their booking is "confirmed" if any segment shows HL. Always check every segment in the PNR individually — it's common for one leg of a multi-flight trip to be confirmed while another is still waitlisted.
How to Read the Number After the Code
The number immediately following the status code indicates how many seats that status applies to. For example:
HK2— 2 seats confirmedHL1— 1 seat waitlisted
On a booking with multiple passengers, you might occasionally see split status — some passengers confirmed, others waitlisted on the same flight — which is worth double-checking before assuming the whole group is travelling together as planned.
What to Do If You See HL or UN
If a segment shows HL (waitlisted) or UN/UC (unable), the booking needs follow-up — either waiting for the waitlist to clear, contacting the airline, or rebooking on an alternative flight. Don't assume it will resolve itself before the travel date.
Where Status Codes Appear in a PNR
In a typical segment line, the status code sits right after the route:
3 BA 284 H 15JUL 2*LHRJFK HK2 1120A 215P 15JUL EHere, HK2 confirms that both passengers on this British Airways flight have guaranteed seats.
Convert Your PNR and See Status Clearly
PNRGenius automatically reads and displays the confirmed status for every segment — no manual decoding needed.
Try the Free Converter →