Aircraft Codes Reminder

One of the most common reasons I send PIREPs back to pilots is because the aircraft type they flew didn't match the scheduled aircraft in the timetable, usually one of the airline-supplied timetable programs. This is truly unfortunate, as this is something that can't be easily fixed, since we always require pilots to fly the scheduled aircraft.

Fortunately, there's an easy solution: always use the aircraft codes listed at that virtual airline's Flights page. If you rely solely on the timetable's 'decoding' or just the code itself, you can easily be led astray. Let me illustrate this with a few examples.

Continental
Continental uses three different codes for its 767s (-200ERs and -400ERs; 762, 764, and 767. "Easy," you say. "The 762 code is clearly the -200ER, the 764 is code is clearly the -400ER, and the 767 is always used for -200s at other airlines." While logical, this is not the case at Continental—the 767 code is used for -400ERs in Micronesia seating configuration.

Delta
One might think that the CRJ code refers to any of the various CRJ series—100, 200, 700, 900. This is not the case. CRJ at Delta refers to the -100 and -200 only. The -700 and -900 use the CR7 and CR9 codes.

KLM
KLM currently flies four 737 models: the -300, -400, -800, and -900. In addition, PrivatAir operates a 737-700 on behalf of KLM on a single route. Only the 737 code is used for KLM aircraft, while 73G is used for the PrivatAir flight. One common mistake is to assume that the -700 can be flown on any of the 737 routes. It can't, it's only on the one route, identified in the Important Notes on the Flights page.

Seem complicated? It certainly can be, but by following the codes listed on our site, you can never go wrong. Timetables' codes are intended to provide a universal overview, not a specific airline's. Please take special care to follow our codes, not the timetable's. By doing this, you can ensure that this mistake doesn't happen to you, and your hours flying a flight aren't credited because you didn't take a minute to check the aircraft code.

This topic is being discussed on the Message Boards.