Jun 25, 2013, 12:37 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
How to find the registration / "tail" number on AA (and other) planes and flights
Numbers commonly associated with commercial aircraft include:
- Registration (or "Tail") Number (in the US, begin with "N"), which may change with aircraft ownership and certainly so if ownership is also a change of registration country, comparably to an automobile's license number. Some refer to this as a "tail number", though it is generally found on the aft portion of the fuselage under or near the tail, and some aircraft sport the fleet number on the actual tail.
- Fleet Number or "nose code", a shorter identifying code, that is normally associated with the Registration Number, often only two or three (alphanumeric) characters; it may reflect some of the registration numbers or not, and may include other information (e.g. "ETOPS"). This number would be analogous to a company's auto fleet number.
- Manufacturer's Serial Number: (MSN or msn) or Construction Number (cn or c/n), which is like an automobile's Vehicle Identification Number or VIN - this number is issued to the hull itself and does not change, from construction to wrecking yard (with very few exceptions, such as a rebuild from multiple aircrafts). This number will also often appear on an affixed plate within the fuselage. This is the "gold standard" for identifying a specific aircraft, as Registration Numbers can be assigned to more than one aircraft at different times.
- Line Number: The constructor / manufacturer also assigns a Line Number that represents the order in which it was built relative to others of the same model on the production line.
AA shows the Reg number in the FIL in Sabre.
For aircraft you can see, the registration number is generally painted on the aft fuselage near or before the tail root (not on the tail). If you can not see that, the fleet number is usually painted on the nose wheel door. (If you have that, you can easily determine the aircraft registration number.)
The numbers are also on a small metal plate affixed to the bulkhead near the first port (left) door. (It's best not to look for and read this when boarding with a queue behind one
.) Various sites where the aircraft and flight data are archived or displayed are discussed in the ensuing posts.
Find / track AA / US registration / "tail" number, flights (consolidated)
Jan 3, 2006, 6:31 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Originally Posted by justageek
Am I just hallucinating, or did ExpertFlyer used to have the tail number in the comments section of the Flight Status info, but it seems it doesn't anymore?
Jan 3, 2006, 9:35 pm
#17
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Originally Posted by JGR01
I can just see the issue caused during boarding as the OP tries to read the number stamped on the door-sill plate (think it is on the forward side about shoulder height).
Anyhow .. I think the same thing might occur with the OP trying to write down the Tail Number from the SillPlate (I recall this is IN the door assembly so it is only visible when the door is open!).
Anyhow .. I think the same thing might occur with the OP trying to write down the Tail Number from the SillPlate (I recall this is IN the door assembly so it is only visible when the door is open!).
). I can read it as I'm walking through the door... or while waiting for those people in F to sit down 
Of course, I usually forget too... so I only have the tail numbers from about 2 of the last 15 flights I've taken.
Jan 3, 2006, 10:56 pm
#18
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Originally Posted by IceTrojan
Ok ok... I'll qualify the statement. If you know where to look, it'll take about a second to read and memorize it (unless your short term memory has been damaged ). I can read it as I'm walking through the door... or while waiting for those people in F to sit down
Of course, I usually forget too... so I only have the tail numbers from about 2 of the last 15 flights I've taken.
). I can read it as I'm walking through the door... or while waiting for those people in F to sit down Of course, I usually forget too... so I only have the tail numbers from about 2 of the last 15 flights I've taken.
Jan 3, 2006, 11:22 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 238
Originally Posted by Bill_Luv2Fly
I could be completely wrong about this, but if I remember correctly, for the fleet numbers 3=737, 4=MD80, 5=757. Like I said before, I don't know of a complete online database anymore that allows cross referencing between fleet numbers and tail numbers. I'd say your best bet is to google "3CE American 737", which refers you to a page that has both the fleet number and tail number (look at the cached page if it does not load). Such a technique may not always work, though.
("xx" = letters, "dd" = digits below):
737s are 3xx767s (both -200s and -300s) are 3dd
A300s are 0dd.
757s are 5xx
777x are 7xx
MD80s are 4xx
And if you visit the Arizona and California deserts, you'll find:
Fokker 100s were 2xx
MD-11s were 1xx
Jan 3, 2006, 11:25 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 238
Originally Posted by Efrem
I've gone off on several FT rants about agents reciting "security" like a mantra when something has no possible security connection, but this is a situation where it actually might. Specifically, someone bent on mischief might want to confirm that the aircraft is the one where an accomplice left something behind on purpose - perhaps one of two components to a device, each of which is benign by itself but which, when combined, could be nasty. So, while there are (as noted in several previous posts) lots of ways to get this information, all of which are equally available to mischief-makers, they might be a bit suspect of someone who thinks it's important to find out.
For that matter, sometimes you can see your very own luggage being dropped in the slush.
Jan 4, 2006, 8:26 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 1,122
Originally Posted by gregmchicago
I crosschecked my dubious memory with some pictures on Airliners.net.
("xx" = letters, "dd" = digits below):
737s are 3xx
767s (both -200s and -300s) are 3dd
A300s are 0dd.
757s are 5xx
777x are 7xx
MD80s are 4xx
("xx" = letters, "dd" = digits below):
737s are 3xx
767s (both -200s and -300s) are 3dd
A300s are 0dd.
757s are 5xx
777x are 7xx
MD80s are 4xx
737-800: 3AA-3DL (more to be delivered)
757-200: 610-643, 5BP-5FT, 5TA-5WE (TWA)
767-200: 301-339 (only 319-339 in service)
767-300: 342-399
777-200: 7AA-7CA (more to be delivered)
MD-80: 200-298, 400-499, 501-599, 4TA-4YU (TWA)
Jan 4, 2006, 9:00 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Posts: 1,361
Originally Posted by mwhitted
WAY COOL! 
Here's another FAA site where you can enter an N-number and get the ergistration information.
BTW, N526AA was a "FALCON-XP" from 05/15/1985 until 04/17/1991 and has been a Bell OH-58C helicopter since 02/19/2003.
Here's another FAA site where you can enter an N-number and get the ergistration information.
BTW, N526AA was a "FALCON-XP" from 05/15/1985 until 04/17/1991 and has been a Bell OH-58C helicopter since 02/19/2003.
AA 04/26/2004 2085 N526AA MCO 15:45
BOTH Departures from BOS and arrivals from MCO show this flight as N526AA and I've tried searching to no avail on Airliners.net & internet searches.
However, on this link http://www.geocities.com/~aeromoe/fleets/aa.html
does it imply N7526A has the fleet # 526 but is a MD80?
Thanks to everyone's contributions, both serious & (somewhat) funny
Jan 5, 2006, 12:21 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SNA / South OC
Posts: 304
The small piece of paper referred to in other posts is the "Airworthiness Certificate". It's basically the FAA stating the aircraft can safely fly. FAA regs require it to be posted "in plain sight to passengers as they board the aircraft". It will usually be above door 1L or somewhere very close. It lists the tail number, serial number, date the aircraft was manufactured, aircraft category, etc.
There is a metal plate on the door frame that is the manufacturer's ID plate. It does NOT list tail number, since tail number changes several times over the life of most aircraft. It lists manufacturer, model, and serial number. It's like the VIN tag on your car.
WN is nice, they put an engraved plaque with the "N" number by each door. WN saves a lot of money by this simple idea....ground service, gate agents, and cabin crews can make sure they are on the correct aircraft and avoid mistakes.
There is a similar N number plaque on the top center of the instrument panel in the cockpit of most aircraft. If the cockpit door is open when you enter or exit the plane, look for the plate (or ask the pilot for the tail #).
Another source of N number is the electronic ramp signs outside each gate for the ramp crews. One line of the display has a fragment of the tail number, although AA uses the fleet number (e.g. "5CR") which does not solve the problem.
There is a metal plate on the door frame that is the manufacturer's ID plate. It does NOT list tail number, since tail number changes several times over the life of most aircraft. It lists manufacturer, model, and serial number. It's like the VIN tag on your car.
WN is nice, they put an engraved plaque with the "N" number by each door. WN saves a lot of money by this simple idea....ground service, gate agents, and cabin crews can make sure they are on the correct aircraft and avoid mistakes.
There is a similar N number plaque on the top center of the instrument panel in the cockpit of most aircraft. If the cockpit door is open when you enter or exit the plane, look for the plate (or ask the pilot for the tail #).
Another source of N number is the electronic ramp signs outside each gate for the ramp crews. One line of the display has a fragment of the tail number, although AA uses the fleet number (e.g. "5CR") which does not solve the problem.
Jan 5, 2006, 7:28 am
#25
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 1,122
Originally Posted by bursa
But then on the BTS.gov site:
AA 04/26/2004 2085 N526AA MCO 15:45
BOTH Departures from BOS and arrivals from MCO show this flight as N526AA and I've tried searching to no avail on Airliners.net & internet searches.
However, on this link http://www.geocities.com/~aeromoe/fleets/aa.html
does it imply N7526A has the fleet # 526 but is a MD80?
Thanks to everyone's contributions, both serious & (somewhat) funny
AA 04/26/2004 2085 N526AA MCO 15:45
BOTH Departures from BOS and arrivals from MCO show this flight as N526AA and I've tried searching to no avail on Airliners.net & internet searches.
However, on this link http://www.geocities.com/~aeromoe/fleets/aa.html
does it imply N7526A has the fleet # 526 but is a MD80?
Thanks to everyone's contributions, both serious & (somewhat) funny
Jan 5, 2006, 10:33 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: HRO/SGF (Home)/DFW (Work)
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,623
Originally Posted by MiamiBeach
bts.gov always shows N[nose number]AA, regardless of the actual registration (for example, you would see N7AAAA for N770AN because 7AA is its nose number). So N526AA is N7526A which is now an MD-82.
Jan 5, 2006, 12:06 pm
#27
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,373
Originally Posted by kenish
Another source of N number is the electronic ramp signs outside each gate for the ramp crews. One line of the display has a fragment of the tail number, although AA uses the fleet number (e.g. "5CR") which does not solve the problem.
AA1234 XYZ (flight # and destination)
1110 576 5 (est time of departure, portion of fleet # after N, time to ETD - sometimes negative if there's a delay and they haven't updated it yet
)Not all airports seem to have these signs, though.
Jan 5, 2006, 1:55 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: HRO/SGF (Home)/DFW (Work)
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,623
Originally Posted by 21A
...portion of fleet # after N....
) SOMETIMES, the "fleet number" is the 1st 3 characters of the "tail number" after the N. I believe what shows on these signs is the 3-character "fleet number".
Jan 5, 2006, 6:05 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NY
Programs: AA, Hilton
Posts: 1,576
hey OP, thats cool. I never really noticed the registration so I am not a true "aviation spotter".
I did ask for a regi the other day and all I did was ask the FA to ask the pilot what the regi was. clean and simple. If the flight is too busy, just ask the pilot as you get off the plane. takes two seconds
I did ask for a regi the other day and all I did was ask the FA to ask the pilot what the regi was. clean and simple. If the flight is too busy, just ask the pilot as you get off the plane. takes two seconds