This might seem like a silly question, but as an Aussie I'm unfamiliar with some things that Americans take for granted. Can someone tell me what the X in LAX airport stands for ?

Back in the Dark Ages (Read:1930's) when commercial air service in the US lterally took off,it became necessary to develop a system of airport codes.Prior to WWI, an "airport" was anywhere a plane could land, like any open field.The US Weather Service had begun compiling weather information from cities across the country, using 2-letter identifying codes.Most of the times,this 2 letter code was the first 2 letters in the city's name.When it became necessary to make airport codes, some airports simply tacked on the letter "X" to the previously designated city code for weather purposes.Thus, LA became LAX...Phoenix became PHX...and Portland Oregon became PDX..and so on and so forth....Pre computer you know.Hope this helps.....S

Thanks, S, for your clear explanation . I'll tuck that away in my "vault of interesting information".

Stella...You are welcome! There is much more super technical info but I have never gone deeper than just what I reported.I did a study while I was in college and that surface amount sufficed!!

Stella, I tend to collect useless information like that also and, surprisingly, am able to recall it at the oddest moments.

www.skygod.com/asstd/abc.html has a very quick and simple explanation of many of those other US airport codes you may encounter that don't make sense.

I just wish I could find out why Canada begins all theirs with a "Y."

citylights...here's some info:
http://www.airlinequality.com/Interact/Q1_J00135.htm

Thanks, BeachBoi