Airline flight with a "J" suffix?

[Markb]

Hi everyone.

Today, I was listening to LA Center and a United 843J passed thru.
I've never heard or noticed a J suffix (or any other letter for that matter) on a flight number. Can anyone shed some light on what the significance of this is?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[poltergeisty]

Well it appears to be a jet going to and from O'hare

FlightAware > Live Flight Tracker > UAL843J

It must be for twin jet.

 

[ChrisP]

Hi everyone.

Today, I was listening to LA Center and a United 843J passed thru.
I've never heard or noticed a J suffix (or any other letter for that matter) on a flight number. Can anyone shed some light on what the significance of this is?

Thanks,
Mark

Often on United when they have a flight that is two different aircraft flying different legs of the same flight number, they will give one leg, usually the originating portion, a suffix. Most if the time I have heard them, its a KILO or LIMA.

For example, my last flight, which was UA928, flies from PDX to ORD then on to LHR. They change aircraft at ORD, so the first leg of the flight on an A319 was UA928K, then the continuation from ORD to LHR was UA928.

I can't confirm this, but I always assumed that they do this so that if the first leg of the flight is delayed, and the second leg takes off on time, they don't end up with two flights in the air with the same flight number...

- Chris (United 1K)

 

[Markb]

I think I found the answer to my own question:

This refers to the equipment suffix used for flight planning purposes:

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM). Prior to conducting RVSM operations within the U.S., the operator must obtain authorization from the FAA or from the responsible authority, as appropriate.

/J…………………/E with RVSM

and...

/E…………………… Flight Management System (FMS) with DME/DME and IRU position updating

 

[cpohlad]

That usually though is applied to the aircraft type designator and really only for purposes of assisting ATC isn't it?

 

[jvdkieft]

Chris has got it - it is to avoid having the same flight number in the air in the same location. FlightAware shows United flights with flight numbers ending in C, D, K, J, L and T.

FlightAware > Live Flight Tracker > Airborne Aircraft Fleet > United Air Lines Inc. "United" (UAL)

 

[Markb]

OK. I'm sold.

Thanks for the input guys.

Mark