Lubcha132 From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 2776 posts, RR: 8 Posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1038 times:
why does delta have so many 2-letter codes for their registrations?
Why does delta have so many Reg # letter combinations! you can fit 1000 for each 2 letter designation (N000DL-N999DL) and i don't think they('ve) have/had that many planes!
Contact Air From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 1154 posts, RR: 14 Reply 1, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 969 times:
That's an interesting question. I have asked that myself already, too. In fact, on the MD-88, you find very similar registrations: for example, there is as well N912DE AND N912DL.
You also find this at other US-carriers: For example:
- Northwest: NW, US, NB, etc.
- US Airways: US, UW, AU
And these are all planes that were originally delivered to the certain airline, no second-hand planes or planes that came to the airlines after mergers or acquisitions.
OPNLguy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 940 times:
As mentioned, some numbers have their roots in the former operator(s) of the aircraft.
That aside, the other main reason aircraft have different letters other than those expected is that the N-numner is already taken. For example, a desired N245DA might already have been assigned to another aircraft (GA or corporate, most likely), so they go for something similar line N245DX or whatever they can get. Doing so allows the airline to keep the N-number consistent with the aircraft's company "fleet" number (if that's what they want) used for various purposes.
Lubcha132 From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 2776 posts, RR: 8 Reply 3, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 914 times:
that makes sense. but where does something like MH come in?
DeltaRules From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 3623 posts, RR: 11 Reply 4, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 895 times:
I'm wanting to know the answer to the same question! Why do they have so many? Anyway, you're right about the "WA" registrations, they are ex-Western jets.
Here's some more 2 letter codes. There were a lot of different ones for the L-1011 fleet.
Lubcha132 From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 2776 posts, RR: 8 Reply 5, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 874 times:
i think it was ex-ATA actually.
i could see lettering the L-1011's by former airline (well almost)
Modesto2 From United States of America, joined Jul 2000, 2634 posts, RR: 6 Reply 6, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 869 times:
CcrlR From United States of America, joined Aug 2001, 2203 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (11 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 841 times:
US Airways and Northwest does that too. Northwest uses the US like US Airways does
"He was right, it is a screaming metal deathtrap!"-Cosmo (from the Fairly Oddparents)
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