Can two planes with the same call sign be in the air at the same time?
Mar 6, 2019, 4:18 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 59
Can two planes with the same call sign be in the air at the same time?
Purely hypothetical question for interest:
If, for whatever reason, BA15 from Singapore to Sydney was massively delayed, once it had left Singapore could the next days BA15 from Heathrow to Singapore depart under that number?
No reason to ask other than curiosity!
If, for whatever reason, BA15 from Singapore to Sydney was massively delayed, once it had left Singapore could the next days BA15 from Heathrow to Singapore depart under that number?
No reason to ask other than curiosity!
Mar 6, 2019, 5:23 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,060
Quite often they are very different, for example the BAW985 from Berlin yesterday had the callsign BAW6AM. Callsigns are often different for deconfliction and to avoid confusion. Indeed even if a callsign is similar to another ATC will often inform the pilots of a similar callsign on the frequency.
Mar 6, 2019, 6:59 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 13
In Europe we have CSS which we run as part of the Network Manager
"The use of similar call signs by aircraft operating in the same area, on the same radio frequency gives rise to potential and actual flight safety incidents.
The Call Sign Similarity (CSS) project, has been initiated by EUROCONTROL with the aim of establishing pan-European CSS solutions centred on a coordinated service operated by EUROCONTROL’s Network Manager Operations Centre (NMOC). The aim is to reduce the level of operational call sign confusion events and therefore improve levels of safety."
"The use of similar call signs by aircraft operating in the same area, on the same radio frequency gives rise to potential and actual flight safety incidents.
The Call Sign Similarity (CSS) project, has been initiated by EUROCONTROL with the aim of establishing pan-European CSS solutions centred on a coordinated service operated by EUROCONTROL’s Network Manager Operations Centre (NMOC). The aim is to reduce the level of operational call sign confusion events and therefore improve levels of safety."
Mar 6, 2019, 8:11 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
No, same 2 numbered flights can't be in the air at the same time. Has happened to me numerous times. One flight changes their number.
United is a bear to get credit for a flight with an in air number change - I have fought it and eventually got my credit and I have also been credited double for both flight numbers - so make sure to keep boarding passes and screenshot flight change announcement etc - not sure how bad BA is at giving avios and TP
United is a bear to get credit for a flight with an in air number change - I have fought it and eventually got my credit and I have also been credited double for both flight numbers - so make sure to keep boarding passes and screenshot flight change announcement etc - not sure how bad BA is at giving avios and TP
Mar 6, 2019, 8:17 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,075
I've once seen this in JNB (where 24-hour delays are nothing unusual!). There were two BA flights with the same flight number leaving at the exact same time (one of them was 24h delayed), which was creating some confusion in the lounge (which evolved into outrage once the delayed flight got delayed by another 12 hours shortly before boarding).
Mar 6, 2019, 8:49 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: London, Babylon-on-Thames
Programs: BAEC Blue (back to Earth)
Posts: 1,498
Air New Zealand's NZ002 AKL-LAX-LHR, the flight is landing in London at 1040 GMT as the next days leaves AKL at 0950 GMT, so a planned 50 minute overlap of two aircraft calling "New Zealand 2". And they both use this same callsign but on different sides of the globe so zero scope for an ATC issue. Ops planning may be another story!
Virgin's SYD-HKG-LHR flights were similar, however the BA16 SYD-SIN-LHR has 35 mins between the LHR flight landing and the next one leaving SYD.
Virgin's SYD-HKG-LHR flights were similar, however the BA16 SYD-SIN-LHR has 35 mins between the LHR flight landing and the next one leaving SYD.
Mar 6, 2019, 10:51 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold-GGL
Posts: 1,180
R is often for return to stand but that may be a local thing if the flight subsequently leaves albeit later than scheduled.
Mar 6, 2019, 12:16 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: LHR Air Traffic Control
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 875
It’s certainly been known. The problem begins when they are both under the responsibility of the same ATCO.
Back a decade or so ago when United were running their RTW flights, UAL1 was often just about to land while UAL1 was on climb out. Not an issue.
Back a decade or so ago when United were running their RTW flights, UAL1 was often just about to land while UAL1 was on climb out. Not an issue.
