Most airlines employ a distinctive and internationally recognised call sign that is normally spoken during airband radio transmissions as a prefix to the flight number. The flight number is normally that published in their public timetable and appearing on the arrivals and departure screens in the airport terminals served by that particular flight. In cases of emergency, the airline name and flight number, rather than the individual aircraft's registration, are normally mentioned by the main news media.

Some call-signs are less obviously associated with a particular airline than others. This might be for historic reasons, or possibly to avoid confusion with a call sign used by an established airline.

Not all of these operators of aircraft are civilian and some only operate ad-hoc chartered flights rather than scheduled flights; some operate both types of flights. Some cargo airlines specialise in freight transport, an emphasis that may be reflected in the company's name.

Here follows a list of airline calls signs. Defunct carriers are listed in italics.

Clearly companies' names will change over time, normally due to bankruptcies or mergers occurring. Country names can also change over time and new call signs may be agreed in substitution for traditional ones. Please make the alterations required if you are certain of their authenticity. The country shown alongside an airline's call sign is that wherein most of its aircraft are believed to be registered, which may not always be the same as the country in which the firm is officially incorporated or registered. There are many other airlines in business whose radio call signs are more obviously derived from the trading name.

See also aircraft spotting and air traffic control.

External links

• US FAA regulation on aircraft identification
• ICAO ATC Callsigns, a searchable database of current and historic callsigns
• Callsigns and Logos - Aerosite Database