How Airlines Decide On Flight Numbers, And Have Fun While They’re At It

OMAAT reader Paul recently asked me a question about airline flight numbers, and I figured that would be a fun topic to discuss…

How airlines decide on flight numbers

When the average traveler looks at their boarding pass, they probably don’t think much about the flight number. Each airline has a two letter code, and then the flight number is usually anywhere from one to four numbers. To most people this probably seems random… but is it?

If you’re curious how airlines generate flight numbers, it’s a combination of an automated and manual process. Airlines have tools that they use that automatically generate flight numbers from those that are still available and not currently in use. After all, two different flights can’t use the same flight number at the same time (since these numbers are also used with air traffic control).

However, for many airlines, the allocation of flight numbers isn’t totally random, and there’s some rhyme and reason to it. For example:

• Airlines often use the flight number 1 or 2 for a “flagship” route, or a route that has some historical or other significance; for example, for Starlux Airlines, flights 1 and 2 are the route between Taipei and Los Angeles, which is the carrier’s first long haul route
• Airlines often use even flight numbers for one direction of travel, and odd flight numbers for another direction, just to keep things consistent; for example, American generally uses even flight numbers for flights headed east or north, and odd flight numbers for flights headed west or south
• Airlines often try to sequence flight numbers so that there’s some consistency in markets, but that’s not always the case; for example, SWISS’ flights from Zurich to Geneva have the flight numbers 2802, 2804, 2806, etc.
• Airlines often have flight number ranges for specific markets; for example, Lufthansa flights to & from North America are in the 400s, while most flights to & from Asia are in the 700s
• Airlines will often use higher flight numbers for services operated by regional airlines; for example, Delta Connection flights generally have flight numbers in the 4000s

Some cool flight numbers are deliberate

As you can see above, quite a bit goes into the process of picking flight numbers. However, in some cases airlines break the above rules to have some fun. If you’ve ever found yourself boarding a flight where the flight number seems mighty fitting for the destination, it’s probably not a coincidence.

Let me explain in the form of some examples. Looking at American Airlines flight numbers (all with the prefix “AA”):

• Flight 420 is to & from Denver (DEN) — okay, this one might be a coincidence
• Flight 777 is to & from Las Vegas (LAS)
• Flight 1492 is to & from Columbus, Ohio (CMH)
• Flight 1776 is from Philadelphia (PHL)

Looking at Delta Air Lines flight numbers (all with the prefix “DL”):

• Flight 777 is to & from Las Vegas (LAS)

Looking at United Airlines flight numbers (all with the prefix “UA”):

• Flight 777 is to Las Vegas (LAS)
• Flight 1776 is from Philadelphia (PHL)

I imagine there are many more interesting flight numbers I’m missing with these airlines, so please let me know any other good ones, and I’ll update this post to add them.

Bottom line

Generally only aviation geeks put any thought into flight numbers, but there’s quite a bit that goes into the selection process for airlines. If you find yourself on flight 777 to Las Vegas, or flight 1492 to Columbus, or flight 1776 to Philadelphia, know that it’s not a coincidence.

What’s your take on how airlines select flight numbers? Any other fun flight numbers I’m missing?