On which airlines, does same flight number mean same plane?
Sep 6, 2007 | 9:37 am
#6
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Only partially true.
UA has flights which run ORD-HKG-SIN and SFO-NRT-SIN (and many others) which continue onward with the same flight number AND the same aircraft.
NW also has a PDX-NRT-SIN flight which retains its flight number and aircraft for the whole trip. Probably several other flights as well.
However, on domestic legs of these international flights, the aircraft gets switched (I believe the UA ORD-HKG-SIN flight originates in PHL, but the PHL-ORD leg is operated with a different aircraft).
But on international flights which continue onward using 5th freedom rights, it's usually almost always the same aircraft if the flight number does not change.
UA has flights which run ORD-HKG-SIN and SFO-NRT-SIN (and many others) which continue onward with the same flight number AND the same aircraft.
NW also has a PDX-NRT-SIN flight which retains its flight number and aircraft for the whole trip. Probably several other flights as well.
However, on domestic legs of these international flights, the aircraft gets switched (I believe the UA ORD-HKG-SIN flight originates in PHL, but the PHL-ORD leg is operated with a different aircraft).
But on international flights which continue onward using 5th freedom rights, it's usually almost always the same aircraft if the flight number does not change.
Sep 6, 2007 | 11:36 am
#8
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The no extra charge DVT Prevention Run. Some NW connect at KIX, with fewer planes perhaps it is more likely to be the same metal.NW 11 is DTW-NRT-PEK. The DW-NRT leg is a 747-400. NRT-PEK is a A330-200. Sometimes the 747 continues to an Asia final destination, but the 747 is used for the long haul (back to MSP or DTW or LAX) and the A330 (with Y IFE ^) is used for the 2 to 6 hour Asia commuter legs (Thanks be all the Break Down of the Day DC-10 clunkers are retired from NRT-SIN.
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Sep 6, 2007 | 11:43 am
#10
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Not excusing the U.S. airlines but they tend to operate domestic flights going through hubs, while most non-U.S. airlines don't do that (only Russia and Canada, and maybe Australia being big enough to do that?). Of course, that doesn't excuse the change of gauge for flights that go from an international city to a U.S. hub, before going to another U.S. destination (or v-v).
Sep 6, 2007 | 1:15 pm
#12
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Sep 6, 2007 | 8:20 pm
#13
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Not excusing the U.S. airlines but they tend to operate domestic flights going through hubs, while most non-U.S. airlines don't do that (only Russia and Canada, and maybe Australia being big enough to do that?). Of course, that doesn't excuse the change of gauge for flights that go from an international city to a U.S. hub, before going to another U.S. destination (or v-v).
Sep 6, 2007 | 8:25 pm
#14
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I interpreted the question as "On which airlines, does same flight number always mean same plane?" To me this made more sense than listing out for each airline which flights currently are same flight number same a/c and which ones are same flight number different a/c, which can be further complicated by changes over time.
Sep 6, 2007 | 8:44 pm
#15
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FWIW, when QF was operating SYD-HNL-YVR/YYZ for a while back in 2000/01, some a/c would operate YYZ/YVR-HNL and back, and another would operate SYD-HNL-SYD. All nominally the same a/c (767-300ER) but....