Last Updated on July 23, 2026 by Daniel Globe
If your 13-digit flight ticket number starts with 838, the ticket was issued on WestJet ticket stock. The prefix identifies the airline responsible for issuing and controlling the ticket. It does not mean that you booked a charter flight, and it does not always mean WestJet will operate every flight on your itinerary.
Quick Answer
A ticket number beginning with 838 is normally a WestJet-issued eTicket. The complete number contains 13 digits, usually shown as 838 followed by ten more digits. The prefix identifies the ticketing airline, not necessarily the airline operating every flight on a codeshare or interline itinerary.
Key Takeaways
- 838 is WestJet’s three-digit IATA airline accounting code.
- The prefix identifies the airline that issued the ticket, not whether the flight is scheduled or chartered.
- A partner airline may operate one or more flights even when the ticket starts with 838.
- Your ticket number, reservation code, and flight number are separate identifiers.
- For a partner itinerary, check the “Operated by” line and check in with the carrier operating your first flight.
What Does a Ticket Number Starting With 838 Mean?
The first three digits of an airline ticket number identify the airline ticket stock on which the document was issued. According to the International Air Transport Association, WestJet’s airline accounting code is 838. WestJet’s two-letter flight designator is WS, and its ICAO code is WJA.
A complete WestJet ticket number is normally written as 838-XXXXXXXXXX, with ten digits following the 838 prefix. The hyphen may be omitted on websites or forms, so you may also see all 13 digits together.
The 838 prefix tells you which airline issued the ticket. It does not tell you whether the flight is a charter, which aircraft will be used, or which airline will operate every segment.
Note: The three digits work as one airline code. The first digit, 8, does not separately mean that the flight is outside scheduled commercial service, and the ticket number is not an air traffic control tracking code.
What Does the 838 Prefix Not Tell You?
A 838 ticket number does not reveal all the details of your trip. You cannot use the prefix alone to determine:
- Whether the flight is scheduled, chartered, direct, or connecting
- Which airline will operate each flight
- Your cabin, seat, baggage allowance, or fare conditions
- Whether the ticket can be changed or refunded
- Whether you will earn points or miles in a loyalty program
- Whether a partner airline will recognize the same reservation code
Those details appear elsewhere on your eTicket receipt or itinerary. Look for the flight number, fare rules, baggage information, and an “Operated by” notice beside each flight.
Where Can You Find Your 838 Ticket Number?
WestJet’s official ticket-number guide says the ticket number is a 13-digit identifier that can be found on your eTicket receipt or boarding pass. Its exact position depends on the document you are using.
- Emailed itinerary: Open the electronic ticket receipt attached to your WestJet itinerary email.
- Printed web check-in boarding pass: Look beneath the QR code.
- Mobile boarding pass: Look near the bottom of the screen beneath the QR code.
- Apple Wallet pass: Open the pass details by selecting the information icon.
- Airport-issued boarding pass: Check the passenger and ticket-information area.
Pro Tip: Save both your 13-digit ticket number and your reservation code. The ticket number is useful for ticket support and receipts, while the shorter reservation code is often easier to use for check-in and managing your trip.
Ticket Number vs. Reservation Code vs. Flight Number
| Identifier | Typical format | What it identifies |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket number | 13 digits, such as 838 plus ten digits | A ticket or related electronic document issued to one passenger |
| Reservation code | A short group of letters or letters and numbers | The booking record containing the passenger and itinerary details |
| Flight number | Airline designator plus numbers, such as WS 123 | A specific marketed flight on a route and date |
Each passenger normally has a separate ticket number, even when several people share one reservation code. A reissued or exchanged ticket may also receive a new ticket number while the reservation code remains the same.
Why Might TAP Air Portugal Appear on a 838 Ticket?
TAP Air Portugal does not use 838 as its own airline accounting code. IATA lists TAP Air Portugal’s code as 047.
However, another airline can appear on a WestJet-issued ticket when an itinerary includes a partner-operated or interline flight. In that situation:
- WestJet may be the ticketing or validating airline, which explains the 838 prefix.
- Another airline may be the marketing airline shown in the flight number.
- TAP or another partner may be the operating airline providing the aircraft and crew.
Therefore, a TAP-operated segment on a ticket beginning with 838 does not mean that TAP owns the 838 prefix. It means WestJet issued the ticket that contains that segment.
Do 838 Ticket Numbers Work on Codeshare Flights?
Yes. A 838 ticket can include a codeshare or interline flight. WestJet explains that a codeshare flight is sold under one airline’s flight number but operated by another airline. You can identify the operating carrier by looking for the “Operated by” notice on your itinerary.
| Travel task | What to check |
|---|---|
| Online check-in | Check in with the airline operating the first flight. |
| Finding the booking | Use the operating airline’s reservation code if the WestJet code is not accepted. |
| Baggage | Review the allowance and fees shown on the itinerary and the applicable partner-airline policy. |
| Seats and upgrades | Availability may depend on the operating airline’s system and rules. |
| Ticket changes | Start with the airline or travel agency that issued or sold the ticket. |
WestJet’s airline-partner guidance advises passengers to check in with the airline operating the first flight. If the operating carrier’s website cannot find the trip, look for a separate partner confirmation code in your itinerary or contact the company that issued the ticket.
Can You Earn Rewards With an 838 Ticket?
The 838 prefix alone does not guarantee that you will earn WestJet points, TAP Miles&Go miles, or rewards from another program. Eligibility can depend on:
- The marketing and operating airlines
- The flight number shown on the ticket
- Your booking class and fare type
- Whether your loyalty number was added to the reservation
- The current rules of the loyalty program
Review the earning rules for the program you plan to use. Keep your eTicket receipt and boarding passes until all expected points or miles appear in your account.
What Should You Verify Before Using Your Ticket Number?
Before check-in or before contacting support, compare the ticket information with your itinerary:
- Confirm all 13 digits. Enter the number without spaces or a hyphen if the form accepts digits only.
- Check the passenger name. It should match the traveler and the identification that will be used for the trip.
- Review every flight segment. Note the marketing flight number and the airline listed after “Operated by.”
- Save all reservation codes. A partner carrier may use a different locator from WestJet.
- Review baggage and fare conditions. Partner-airline policies may apply to parts of the journey.
- Check the ticket status. If the itinerary was changed, make sure each segment is confirmed and ticketed.
WestJet may also issue separate electronic document numbers for paid baggage, seat selection, or cabin upgrades. These numbers can appear in the “Other Charges” section of the receipt. Do not confuse an ancillary document number with the main flight ticket number listed for the passenger.
Warning: Do not post your full ticket number, reservation code, passenger name, or boarding-pass QR code on social media. These details can expose private itinerary information and may be usable by someone trying to access your booking.
What If the 838 Ticket Number Is Not Recognized?
If an airline website does not recognize the number, it does not automatically mean that the ticket is invalid. Try these steps:
- Remove the hyphen and enter all 13 digits together.
- Try the reservation code instead of the ticket number.
- Confirm that you are using the website of the airline operating your first flight.
- Look for a second confirmation code labeled “airline confirmation,” “partner locator,” or similar wording.
- Check that your surname is entered exactly as it appears in the booking.
- Review recent emails for a schedule change, reissue, or replacement ticket number.
- Contact the airline or travel agency that sold the ticket and provide the complete itinerary privately.
If you booked through a travel agency or third-party website, that seller may need to handle a voluntary change, refund request, or ticket reissue. The operating airline may be able to help with check-in and airport services but may not control the original ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airline ticket number starts with 838?
WestJet-issued airline tickets normally start with 838. IATA lists 838 as WestJet’s three-digit airline accounting code. A partner airline may operate part of the itinerary, but the prefix still shows that the ticket was issued on WestJet ticket stock.
What is the 13-digit airline ticket number?
It is the unique document number assigned to an airline ticket. The first three digits identify the issuing airline’s ticket stock, and the remaining ten digits identify the individual document. A WestJet-issued number is commonly displayed as 838 followed by ten digits.
Which airline ticket starts with 014?
A ticket beginning with 014 is issued on Air Canada ticket stock. American Airlines uses the 001 prefix, not 014.
What is the WestJet flight code?
WestJet’s two-letter IATA flight designator is WS. It appears before WestJet-marketed flight numbers, such as WS 123. This is different from the 838 accounting code used at the start of WestJet-issued ticket numbers.
Does a ticket number starting with 838 mean it is a charter flight?
No. The 838 prefix identifies WestJet as the ticketing airline. It does not classify the flight as chartered or scheduled. Check the itinerary and operating-airline information for details about the actual flight.
Is 838 a TAP Air Portugal ticket number?
No. TAP Air Portugal’s airline accounting code is 047. A TAP-operated flight may appear on a WestJet-issued 838 itinerary when the airlines have an applicable partner or interline arrangement.
Can I check in with my 838 ticket number?
You may be able to use the ticket number, but a reservation code is often easier. For a partner itinerary, check in with the airline operating the first flight and use that airline’s confirmation code if the 838 number is not accepted.
Sources
- IATA: WestJet airline listing — confirms WestJet’s 838 accounting code, WS designator, and WJA ICAO code.
- WestJet: Where to find your ticket number — confirms the 13-digit format, document locations, and separate numbers for flight extras.
- WestJet: Airline partners — explains operating airlines, partner policies, and check-in guidance.
- IATA: TAP Air Portugal airline listing — confirms TAP’s airline accounting code is 047.
- IATA: Air Canada airline listing — confirms Air Canada’s airline accounting code is 014.
- American Airlines: Reservations and tickets FAQ — confirms American Airlines tickets begin with 001.
Conclusion
A flight ticket number beginning with 838 means the ticket was issued on WestJet ticket stock. It does not mean the flight is a charter, and WestJet may not operate every segment. Keep the complete ticket number, reservation codes, and operating-airline details together so you can check in, manage partner flights, and get help from the correct airline or travel agency.