Flight information display system

Flight information display LCD board at Munich International Airport

Split flap display at Tokyo International Airport

Modern FIDS display utilising multiple monitors at Melbourne Airport Australia

A flight information display system (FIDS) is a computer system used in airports to display flight information to passengers, in which a computer system controls mechanical or electronic display boards or TV screens in order to display arrivals and departures flight information in real-time. The displays are located inside or around an airport terminal. A virtual version of a FIDS can also be found on most airport websites and teletext systems. In large airports, there are different sets of FIDS for each terminal or even each major airline. FIDS are used to assist passengers during air travel and people who want to pick up passengers after the flight.

Each line on an FIDS indicates a different flight number accompanied by:

• the airline name/logo and/or its IATA or ICAO airline designator
• the city of origin or destination, and any intermediate points
• the expected arrival or departure time and/or the updated time (reflecting any delays)
• the gate number
• the check-in counter numbers or the name of the airline handling the check-in
• the status of the flight, such as "Landed", "Delayed", "Boarding", etc.

Due to code sharing, one single flight may be represented by a series of different flight numbers, thus lines (for example, LH474 and AC9099), although one single aircraft operates that route at that given time. Lines may be sorted by time, airline name, or city.

Most FIDS are now displayed on LCD or LED screen, although some airports still use split-flap display.

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