US domestic flight numbers when flying past midnight

If I understand correctly, US domestic carriers' flights are repeated daily. Thus if flight 123 goes from airport X to Y to Z on, say, Monday, then Tuesday, flight 123 of the same carrier will also go from X to Y to Z.

But - what happens if the X->Y leg starts at, say, 23:00, and the Y->Z leg starts at 02:00 the next day? Is the same flight number used? Is it then the case that flight 123 goes, every day, from Y to Z and later in the day from X to Y?

Note: Let's assume no timezone changes to make things simpler.

Best Answer

I couldn't find a US example, but it certainly happens internationally. EK 412 flies from Dubai to Sydney to Christchurch and the Sydney to Christchurch leg happens the next day.

But - what happens if the X->Y leg starts at, say, 23:00, and the Y->Z leg starts at 02:00 the next day?

Nothing much. They just fly as usual.

Is the same flight number used?

Yes

Is it then the case that flight 123 goes, every day, from Y to Z and later in the day from X to Y?

Yes . You can type EK412 into seatguru and for any date you get SYD->CHC at 7:50 in the morning at DXB to SYD at 10:15 in the morning.

EDIT

I just recalled a domestic example. I was on a "direct" flight from Boston to Las Vegas. Turns out United defines "direct" as "both legs having the same flight number". It does NOT mean non=stop. It also does NOT mean it's the same plane, the same crew, the same gate or that it's a guaranteed connection. It's just a marketing ruse: they simply combine two random legs, give them the same flight number and advertise as the connection as "direct".

This particular itinerary had a stop in Denver. The first leg was delayed, and the second leg departed on time while the first leg was still in the air. So, yes, two identical flight numbers in the air at the same time, probably in the same air controller space. And I had to spend the night it Denver!

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How are flights numbered?

With a few exceptions, flights are usually numbered based on their direction of travel. For example, north and eastbound flights are assigned even numbers, while south and westbound flights are numbered odd. To the left of a flight number is a two-character code identifying the airline.

Are flight numbers the same every day?

In many cases, those flight numbers repeat daily; flight 100 on American Airlines always goes between JFK and London Heathrow seven days a week, while 101 runs the same route in reverse. In some special cases, the routes have a special meaning. Boarding flight 1 to any destination is often a matter of prestige.

What are midnight flights called?

Red eye flight is generally referred to as a flight that departs late at night and arrives early in the morning.

What is the latest you can board a domestic flight?

You can check-in online or from the app starting 24 hours before and up to 45 minutes before departure (90 for international). To check-in and check bags at the airport, you must be there a certain amount of time before scheduled departure: Within the U.S. \u2013 45 minutes.

QANTAS to INDIA 🇮🇳 Adelaide to Delhi A330 ECONOMY Class

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