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Why Two Different Flight #s For The Same Flight?

krisyyz From Canada, joined Nov 2004, 1575 posts, RR: 0
Posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 2900 times:

Sorry to ask such a basic question here but I would really like to know why KLM flight 692 left as KLM 32 today.

My mother departed KL 692 yet when I was listening to ATC I heard the KLM flight depart as “KL 32 heavy”. Why are there two flight numbers? Is this a routine occurrence or are there other factors that may change a flights callsign? Is it only KLM that does this ?

Most flight tracking websites like Flightaware and flightview have both KL 692 and KL 32 listed but only KL 32 as “departed”.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

KrisYYZ

[Edited 2010-12-29 16:32:18]

Malev forever!

7 replies: All unread, jump to last

SB From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2006, 216 posts, RR: 0
Reply 1, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 2874 times:

The ATC callsign is sometimes different from the commercial flight number for operational reasons - usually to avoid having similar callsigns on the same frequency at the same time (KLM692 and 926 for example).

The ATC callsign can also contain letters, for example BA92 which operates YYZ-LHR used to file as BAW7CA for a while. Substitutions are most common in Europe.

S.

"Confirm leave the hold and maintain 320kts?!"

Mir From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 19695 posts, RR: 56
Reply 2, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 2869 times:

Quoting SB (Reply 1):
The ATC callsign is sometimes different from the commercial flight number for operational reasons - usually to avoid having similar callsigns on the same frequency at the same time (KLM692 and 926 for example).

Or another airline's flight 692.

-Mir

7 billion, one nation, imagination...it's a beautiful day

IAHFLYR From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 4718 posts, RR: 25
Reply 3, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 2807 times:

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Quoting Mir (Reply 2):
Or another airline's flight 692

More often it is only when another flight for the same airline is in the air, regardless of where the flights are located. There are many instances of the same flight number operating with different airlines. It then is something ATC should alert both operators of the similar sounding call signs on the same frequency.

Any views shared are strictly my own and do not a represent those of any former employer.

Mir From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 19695 posts, RR: 56
Reply 4, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 2804 times:

Quoting IAHFLYR (Reply 3):
There are many instances of the same flight number operating with different airlines. It then is something ATC should alert both operators of the similar sounding call signs on the same frequency.

Air India 111 and Aer Lingus 111 used to arrive at JFK right about the same time. They changed it after a while so that Air India 111 and Aer Lingus 11C arrived at about the same time (obviously, Aer Lingus uses "Shamrock" for their callsign).

-Mir

7 billion, one nation, imagination...it's a beautiful day

IAHFLYR From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 4718 posts, RR: 25
Reply 5, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 2803 times:

[quote=Mir,reply=4]Air India 111 and Aer Lingus 111 used to arrive at JFK right about the same time. They changed it after a while so that Air India 111 and Aer Lingus 11C arrived at about the same time (obviously, Aer Lingus uses "Shamrock" for their callsign).[/quote

Exactly.

The call sign of the individual operator doesn't matter, regardless of Southwest 7 and Continental 7 both on the same frequency at the same time, it is a similar sounding call sign which needs to be brought to the attention of the flight crew. If both landing at the same airport as you mention in the JFK situation, then yes somebody needs to change the flight number to avoid any possible confusion. Toss in the mix different states the flights come from and there is even more of a reason to fix any issues.

Any views shared are strictly my own and do not a represent those of any former employer.

jwenting From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 10213 posts, RR: 21
Reply 6, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 2784 times:

Or ATC can assign different numbers to different legs of the same flight.

I wish I were flying