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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 arriving and departing 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 inform passengers of boarding gates, departure/arrival times, destinations, notifications of flight delays/flight cancellations, and partner airlines, et al.
Each line on an FIDS indicates a different flight number accompanied by:
- the airline name/logo and/or its IATA or ICAO airline designator (can also include names/logos of interlining/codesharing airlines or partner airlines, e.g. HX252/BR2898.)
- 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", "Crashed", "Missing", etc.
Due to code sharing, a flight may be represented by a series of different flight numbers. For example, LH 474 and AC 9099, both partners of Star Alliance, codeshare on a route using a single aircraft, either Lufthansa or Air Canada, to operate 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.