What do the flight numbers that are reported in plane crashes mean?

For example, Air France Flight 447 crashed into the ocean, but what gives it the tag of 447? Air France has had a lot more flights than that. Is it the flight number on a specific day? What then happens if another 447th plane-of-the-day crashes later? Is it given the tag 447B?

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Best Answer

It is the regularly scheduled flight number. For example, Qantas flight 8 may refer to their Tuesday flight from LAX to Sydney.

Once a flight results in an accident with fatalities, the flight number is often retired and not used again by the same airline.

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What is the flight number that crashes the most?

Flight 191 is an airline flight number that has had multiple accidents and incidents. It may refer to: Aeroflot Flight 191 (1963), crashed on final approach to Ashgabat International Airport, killing 12 people.

What does the flight number indicate?

A flight number is a specific code that an airline assigns to a particular flight in its network. In addition to its use for airlines, the number helps Air Traffic Control organize and track flights in the air. There are a few standardized rules when it comes to numbering flights.

Do airlines reuse crashed flight numbers?

Flight numbers are often taken out of use after a crash or a serious incident. For example, following the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, the airline changed the flight number for subsequent flights following the same route to MAH 318.

Why are flight numbers retired after a crash?

As The Wall Street Journal reports, "Airlines often retire flight numbers following fatal crashes so as not to evoke negative emotions among other passengers and crew. This is particularly true with high-profile accidents, say aviation analysts."

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