I know that proprietary aircraft callsigns e.g. SPRINGBOK for South African Airlines, DELTA for Delta Air Lines etc., are used in communications between flight crews and ATCs, but what identification codes would you consider proper for flight designations? IATA (2 letters) or ICAO (3 letters)?
I consider ICAO’s 3 letter designation more proper, because it is more easily recognizable, given the sheer number of operating airlines; e.g. QFA is the ICAO code for Qantas Airways, ELY for El Al Israel Airlines.
Sample: SVA 763 (Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763, which crashed with all 312 passengers and crew in the Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision).
What do you think?
By: nJayM - 23rd April 2011 at 15:09
This is a personal thing: ‘Speedbird’ goes back to B.O.A.C. days long may it last
This is a personal thing: ‘Speedbird’ goes back to B.O.A.C. days long may it last with BA.
I believe it still is used by British Airways preceding the numerics and there’s both a very nice but official ‘ring to it. Possibly used by BA apart from on the UK ‘Shuttle’.
As a toddler my parents took me to Japan post war on an official visit my father had to make. We flew on a B.O.A.C. Argonaut (overnight stop of Argonaut in HK, Ha Ha :D) and all the in flight postcards had/have ‘Speedbird’ on it.
The logo changed colour from white to gold in 1965.
I hope the ‘speedbird’ call sign stays after the merger and new liveries, etc as it is a unique identifier and is recognised by ATCs all over the world.
By: Deano - 23rd April 2011 at 13:16
Depends which side of the fence you are sat on, talltower.
If you work in the industry then ICAO seems to take president, i.e. all our paperwork on the flightdeck is issued as ICAO. If you are a passenger then IATA seems to be the norm, i.e. flight numbers etc on your ticket. That aside, I agree with Lance 😉
By: Grey Area - 23rd April 2011 at 13:06
Why does it matter?
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April 23, 2011 at 11:30 am